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Images from an Activist Lens: 1959-2009 by Franklynn Peterson
August 2- September 10, 2010
Closing reception Friday, September 3, 4:00 - 7:00 pm

Franklynn Peterson, Tomorrow

Franklynn Peterson shares stunning photos from an over fifty-year career as an activist/movement promoter and photographer. In 1959, Peterson single-handedly kick-started the civil rights movement in Madison by leading picket lines at Woolworth's to support Southern "sit-in" students. Today he uses his photos to raise awareness about human rights and environmental issues.

Artist's Statement:
You can't have walked the earth for 70 years as I have, alive to its opportunities as well as its challenges, and feel good enough about what you see around you today.

Poverty humiliates more of our brethren.

Hunger hurts many many millions of innocents.

Governments are ignoring citizens who most need justice, homes, jobs-and hope.

Businesses more and more myopically see only a bottom line, but no higher calling.

I fear that when the meek shall inherit the earth, it will be only because the earth, finally, is worthless. Maybe only then will we all be equally meek.

Until then-or even hopefully to prevent "then" from damaging the physical, social and spiritual life as once nourished us all-those of us who were singled out to act wisely must act wisely and creatively, eagerly and confidently. A dismal reality is that, now, creative writers along with creative artists and photographers have been left lonely to shoulder this onerous burden to show life as it is, truly, and as it could be, should be.

I submit my work as a humble offering toward fixing what needs fixing on this Earth and among the only people who will ever inhabit that Earth. It is the only earth we have been given to care for.

*All net proceeds from sale of prints or heavily illustrated catalogs during the exhibition will be divided between Transitional Housing and Porchlight nonprofits.

This exhibition is sponsored by the Center for Photography of Madison.