Arkansas photographers Don House and Sabine Schmidt have included the Horatio Public library in their project Remote Access, which highlights small libraries across the State, and the people who rely on them. The photographers will be in Horatio on Saturday, December 7th during regular library hours of 8:30-12:00am. All library patrons are encouraged to drop in and have their photo taken as part of the project. No cost of any kind is involved. For more information about the project and the photographers go to: www.schmidtandhouse.com or call 479-643-4074.
Remote Access is the second collaboration between Schmidt and House. Born of a love of libraries and the role they play in communities, the photographers have chosen to focus on 25 of the smaller of the 235 public libraries in Arkansas. In conjunction with Dr. Robert Brady Cochran II, of the Center for Arkansas and Regional Studies at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, the collection of photographs will coalesce as a book and traveling exhibition.
“All libraries serve similar roles in their communities that go far beyond providing reading material, and these are roles and services that often don’t end up in mission statements, but are critical in the lives of the patrons.” says Sabine Schmidt, “A safe warm space, with critical internet access, a research center, a home away from home, with the librarian acting as researcher, grant writer, vocational counselor, cook, family relationship coach, child welfare monitor, community organizer, tutor, visitor information officer, living bulletin board, a friendly face, and a patient listener.”
Schmidt, whose work often deals with idea of home, will concentrate on the physical community – the architecture, buildings, streets, businesses, schools, churches, and of course, the library itself. “There is obvious beauty in the buildings and facilities of large urban libraries, and that has been documented in several collections of photographs over the years, but I find great beauty in the small rural library that has to make do with limited resources, often in a building that was never intended for the purpose, relying heavily on volunteers, often with a librarian only funded with a part time salary, and space restrictions that can seem daunting. The beauty that comes from labors of love, and that is exactly what drives so many smaller libraries, is tangible, palpable, and photographable.”
House is foremost a portrait photographer, and his interest is in the people who come to the library, who use the space and the services. He will set up his backdrop and lights and photograph anyone who uses the library (and is willing) during normal business hours on December 7th. According to House, the process is quick and casual. “I’m interested in the people, their personality, what they’re wearing, what they’re carrying, why they are there. There is no posing, no pre-conceived notions. When I’m done, if I’ve been successful, I have opened a window on the community, the people who make it what it is.” As a thank you for participation, each person will receive a complimentary copy of their photograph.
For more information on the project and the photographers:
schmidtphotography@gmail.com
dhouse@nwark.com
schmidtandhouse.com
479-643-4074
About Schmidt & House
Don House and Sabine Schmidt live and work in Hazel Valley, deep in the Ozark Mountains of northwest Arkansas. Sabine Schmidt is an award-winning photographer, writer, and translator from Wiesbaden, Germany. Specializing in color photography, she uses digital and medium-format film cameras. Don House was drawn from Michigan to the rugged isolation and unique character of the Ozarks....