THE EXHIBIT

Many family farmsteads remain empty of people and full of stories. I want to show that these places are beautiful. That they are art. I want to show locals that their stories are valuable. Much of this project entails collaborating directly with the community; connecting with property owners and past residents to collect the stories of their house, farm, land and upbringing. My plan is to connect with landowners of 5-8 properties, photograph those properties in detail and collect stories from the owners and previous residents. I want to create a real in-depth portrait of these farmsteads.

The completed project will consist of around 20-24 printed photographs of abandoned homes and farmsteads across Minnesota combined with residents’ stories in an effort to preserve the history of this culture and showcase its raw beauty. The final collection of images and stories will be displayed at regional fine art centers in Greater Minnesota. Exhibiting in these areas will allow residents to not only learn more about the disappearing culture of their area but to see themselves represented in the imagery, artifacts and stories presented as fine art; to show that they matter.