NCC photo exhibit takes viewers on world tour

Photographer Hunt Harris takes visitors on a global expedition in the art exhibit "Images from a Well-Traveled Lens" at North Central College in Naperville.

The free public exhibit opens Friday, May 4, and continues through Sunday, June 24, in the college's Schoenherr Gallery at the Fine Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Ave. An artist reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 4, when guests can meet Harris.

A native of Moline, Harris has been interested in photography ever since he purchased his first Brownie camera in grade school with allowance money he had saved. Acting on his passion, Harris set up a darkroom in his basement in high school while working at the school newspaper.

Though his photography fell by the wayside as his interests turned to family and career, the recent advent of digital cameras rekindled the spark.

Harris and his wife have been to every continent at least twice, and many photographs in the exhibit were taken during their travels abroad. With these photos, he not only frames his subject matter from a scenic perspective, but also edits the work in Photoshop to further carry out the essence of the image.

Beyond his canvas work, Harris makes all his own prints using specialty archival papers. He uses pigment inks that have a projected life of more than 100 years and uses a clear coating to further preserve the quality.

A recently retired entrepreneur, Harris looks forward to pursuing his avocation with photography even further, all the while enhancing his education with photography workshops and mentorships.

For gallery hours or to learn more about the exhibit, contact Nickole C. Lanham, North Central's gallery director, at (630) 637-5375 or nclanhammurray@noctrl.edu.