| For Immediate Release | Contact: Rich Engel |
| Mar 14, 2006 | 412-681-5449 x204 |
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(Pittsburgh, PA) — Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts will present From Intolerance to Understanding (opening May 5), a city-wide series of photography and film exhibitions, multi-media installations, symposia and workshops. The photographic work of Lynn Johnson forms the cornerstone of From Intolerance to Understanding. Johnson, a nationally recognized photojournalist, has been highlighted in Life magazine, Smithsonian, the New York Times Magazine, National Geographic and Sports Illustrated. Some of her awards include seven Golden Quills for Photojournalism, four World Press Photo Awards, the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award and National Press Photographers Association's "Picture of the Year." Though her assignments take her around the world, she is a Pittsburgh native and continues to make her home here. To complement the photos mentioned above, Johnson has also created a series of photographs entitled “Common Ground” to be included in her exhibition. Meant to inspire hope and movement towards understanding, these photos include a gallery of the compassionate, depicting portraits of advocates for understanding, such as Fred Rogers. Johnson, Pittsburgh Filmmakers and PCA hope the planned events will help build a context in which Pittsburgh's residents, educators and children can learn and respond to our society's continuing aspirations for tolerance. From Intolerance to Understanding, explains Johnson, "will bring together community leaders and residents to catalyze the conversation on hate crimes through a series of thoughtful, educational events." Pittsburgh Filmmakers and PCA are planning to tour From Intolerance to Understanding throughout the United States. An exhibition catalogue of Johnson's show will be available. From Intolerance to Understanding will also include a "community conversation" series where Johnson and her collaborators will discuss their work in a casual seminar-style setting. (Dates and times TBA.) Current funders include the Open Society Institute and UPMC. More funding is pending. Participants and events include: Pittsburgh Filmmakers Galleries (477 Melwood Avenue) Opens May 5. The gallery space will feature Johnson's most difficult images, designed to capture and cultivate the most "interior" contemplations of From Intolerance to Understanding. A film series, featuring Gentleman's Agreement (1947), starring Gregory Peck, will take place in June. The facility will also be used to host forums for educators. (Film and forum dates/times TBA.) Pittsburgh Center for the Arts (6300 Fifth Avenue) Opens May 5. A special architectural exhibition will be constructed on the grounds using enlarged photographic images and banners of text, both created by Johnson. On May 25: American Shorts - This popular reading program will participate with local personalities reading relevant, selected stories. The Children's Museum (10 Children's Way, Allegheny Square) Opens May 5. The gallery will contain an age-appropriate exhibition of Johnson's images in addition to a workshop using material from the show to address issues of tolerance building and awareness in children. This exhibition includes interactive multimedia exhibits and a photographic chronology of the life and work of Pittsburgh's own Mr. Rogers. The parent company for Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Family Communications Inc., will also be supporting the work at the Children's Museum in creating learning experiences for children and in designing training for educators and families on issues of tolerance and diversity. |
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