An assortment of adjunct activities are planned in conjunction with a photo exhibit that will run from Sept. 9 through Oct. 3 in the Norman R. Eppink Gallery at Emporia State University.
The display, “Cowgirls: Contemporary Portraits of the American West,” will be brought in by ExhibitsUSA, a national program of the Mid-America Arts Alliance.
On Sept. 9, ESU assistant professor Joyce Thierer will present a program, “Cattle Tales,” at 7 p.m. in the Bruder Theater, located in King Hall at ESU. The program will feature an oral history that profiles famous women from the Old West.
Prior to the show, from 5 to 7 p.m., drawing students of Dan Kirchhefer will have an opportunity to draw horses, using a live model — Sweet Boy — brought to King Hall lawn for the occasion.
An exhibit of Thierer’s antique horse tack and equipment also will be on display, including an old Hamley saddle.
For the photo exhibit, photographer Ronnie Farley spent three years documenting the lives of two different types of cowgirls: ranchers and rodeo contestants.
“From the high country of Wyoming to the national Professional Women’s Rodeo circuit, the resulting black-and-white images capture the everyday reality and resolute strength of the women who call these settings home,” according to a new release about the exhibit.
The photographs are accompanied by narrative quotes that talk about the daily lives, professional triumphs, the isolation, alcoholism, injuries and other challenges associated with life as a cowgirl.
An opening reception will be held after the “Cattle Tales” program, at approximately 8 p.m.
The exhibit, program, and reception are open to the public.