Atlanta-based photographer Stephanie Dowda is the opening guest in the 2014-15 "Atlanta Intersections" speaker series at Emory University's Robert W. Woodruff Library on Wednesday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Jones Room.
Dowda will be in conversation with series director Randy Gue, curator of modern political and historical collections at Emory's Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library (MARBL). The conversation is open to the public at no charge.
Dowda's photography explores the geography theory topophilia, the idea that the natural world can evoke emotions and memory, adding to a sensation of place.
Gue, whose curatorial responsibilities include MARBL's collections documenting the history and growth of Atlanta and the South, says the audience will be treated to examples of Dowda's unique photographic interpretation of the city and Southern areas and discussion of her creative process.
"I invited Stephanie to be the next guest in our series because her work explores the visual and emotional resonances of place – of Atlanta, of Georgia and elsewhere," Gue says. "Her work intersects with MARBL's interest in unique materials that examine and document Atlanta and the South. I am looking forward to hearing her discuss how Atlanta shaped her work."
The Oct. 8 event at Emory coincides with Atlanta Celebrates Photography Festival month in October, which highlights the work of numerous photographers in exhibitions across Atlanta.
A Georgia State University graduate, Dowda is a studio artist with the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center and has a darkroom at the Goat Farm Arts Center. She frequently gives talks about her work to universities, public schools and the public as well as professional workshops. Dowda's work has appeared in Oxford American, Bad at Sports, ArtsATL, BURNAWAY, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and Atlanta Magazine.
She has exhibited her work at numerous galleries in Atlanta, including Get This Gallery (which closed July 12), M Rich Gallery, Beep Beep Gallery, Hagedorn Foundation Gallery, Kibbee Gallery, and the Atlanta Preservation Center. Her solo exhibition, Genius Loci, is currently on view in conjunction with Atlanta Celebrates Photography at the Arnall Golden Gregory Gallery with a reception on Oct. 2.
Atlanta Intersections features conversations with creative and dynamic Atlantans about the city's past, present and future. The interdisciplinary series will draw on a wide variety of participants – activists, artists, authors, historians, musicians, scholars, preservationists and urbanists – to talk about their work, their experiences of the city, and the influence of Atlanta on their work.
The Robert W. Woodruff Library is located at 540 Asbury Circle in Atlanta, 30322. Parking is available in the Fishburne deck.