Published on October 7, 2015 by Philip Poole  
faces of perry county

By Emily Duval 

A new exhibit has opened in Samford University’s Art Gallery. Now through Nov. 18, photographer Caroline Summers is showing her audio/visual exhibit at Samford. Summers is Samford’s director of photographic services. 

The exhibit, “Faces of Perry County,” features 18 portraits of Perry County residents alongside audio of the subject telling their story. One gets the opportunity to slow down, sit across from the portrait and listen to the experiences of others. 

“We encourage those to come out, find a portrait they might connect with, and hopefully realize how important people’s lives are through their stories,” said Robin Snyder, assistant professor of art and gallery director. 

Perry County in central Alabama is the birthplace of Samford University, but it is also known as one of the poorest areas in the United States. Summers said the purpose of the exhibit is to highlight the community and their generosity despite their negative statistic. The photography is simple to move past distractions and stereotypes, so that one is forced to focus on the individuals. 

“The people of Perry County offer an appreciation for life and the gifts God has given us. This exhibit demands you slow down and appreciate what they have to offer,” Summers added. 

The exhibit requires a smart phone to listen to audio, although there will be an MP3 player and assistance if needed. There will also be an opening reception honoring Summers and the exhibit Oct. 8 from 4-6 p.m., with an artist talk at 5 p.m. 

Regular gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The gallery is located in Swearingen Hall. 

Emily Duval is a journalism and mass communication major and a news and feature writer in the Office of Marketing and Communication. 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.