Spring Special Exhibit:

"Chick & Yvonne: A Life in Photographs"

   The Sharpsteen Museum is proud to present the first major retrospective of the works of renowned photojournalist Chick Harrity and award-winning fine art photographer Yvonne Henry.

   Nicephore Niepoe is credited with creating the first camera for making a photographic image in 1816 and its existence has been influencing the world ever since. It has definitely influenced the lives of these two people.

   The work of this husband-and-wife pair, longtime Calistoga residents, encompasses world and local events, the White House beat (Chick photographed nine U.S. presidents, from Eisenhower to George W. Bush), fine art still life studies, and artistic explorations through a variety of mediums. The yin-yang balance on display gives this exhibit scope which is both historically far-reaching and intimately personal.

   As a photojournalist, Chick sees the camera as a tool to document moments in history. As a fine art photographer Yvonne sees the camera as a tool of limitless possibilities.

   Chick defines photojournalism as an opportunity: “to make a photo which will help tell the world a more complete story.” Yvonne defines fine art photography as: “an attempt to capture essence, an appreciative response…not unlike writing a poem.”

   The exhibit spotlights photography from black & white to color, and from the Kodak Brownie to the cell phone with Leica, Nikon and Polaroid thrown into the mix.

   The Grand Opening event is Friday, June 21, from 4 pm-6 pm at the Museum, with the artists present. The exhibit will be on display from mid-May through November 2024.