MACON – Mercer University’s McEachern Art Center (the MAC) will present My Bike Photo Series, the culmination of a yearlong project started by Bike Walk Macon and photographer DSTO Moore, opening during downtown Macon’s First Friday June 4 through July 17.
The My Bike Photo Series project consists of a series of portraits and profiles of Maconites who use bicycles to get around for more than just recreation. These photos highlight people who bike to get to work or school, or bike to run errands, or bike to improve their health. Together, these images and stories form a portrait of Macon as an emerging bicycling city.
This project was launched by Bike Walk Macon and photographer DSTO Moore as inspiration to get active during the COVID-19 pandemic. The idea expanded with 12 rotating photographers monthly over the past year through Project Coordinator Chris Smith, and now the photos will be the first exhibition of McEachern Art Center’s annual “Summers of Service,” shining a spotlight on local organizations.
The exhibition will include panels on photography and bicycle advocacy on Friday evenings, including photographers from the series and representatives of Bike Walk Macon. For exact dates and times, visit Bike Walk Macon or McEachern Art Center on Facebook.
“Every summer the MAC plans to turn its focus to local talents in order to best serve our immediate community. There’s enormous talent in this town, and we have the good luck to feature it here between school years,” noted Ben Dunn, director of the MAC.
The exhibition opportunity was also valuable for Bike Walk Macon, according to Engagement Coordinator Koryn Young: “With Mercer University’s unwavering support of the Macon community and the MAC’s mission to advance emerging artists, we are honored to have the opportunity to partner with them for My Bike Photo Series. The MAC, offering the community a place to contemplate a diverse mobile Macon, is truly the best fit for this project in our beautiful downtown.”
The diversity on display shows citizens of all backgrounds, from toddlers to senior citizens, posed in an array of colorful locations, from champion racers to bicycle commuters.
The MAC is located at 332 2nd Street in Macon. Admission is free and open to the public during gallery hours, 4-8 p.m. Thursdays-Saurdays. My Bike Photo Series will run until July 17. Media and educators may access the gallery outside of normal hours by appointment.
