News Release, St. Mary’s Art Council
Leonardtown, MD- Join St. Mary’s County Arts Council for the next Art Share Series presentation on First Friday, July 5th from 5:30-6:30 PM. County resident, Susan McNeill, will be giving an insightful presentation about her father’s life and his work. Robert H. McNeill (1917-2005), a renowned freelance and later a U.S. State Department photographer, captured striking images ranging from everyday life to celebrated special events. All photographs will be on display for the month of July and will feature images of pre and post WWII legendary jazz musicians.
Robert McNeill’s interest in the visual arts was sparked during high school; at the age of eighteen his first photo, of Olympic gold medalist Jesse Owens, was published in five Washington, D.C. newspapers. McNeill studied at the New York Institute of Photography, worked as a photographic consultant to the WPA Federal Writers Project, and traveled extensively throughout the nearby areas. His images often captured the rich heritage of many African-American neighborhoods, venues, and institutions of his era.
After serving three years in the U.S. Army, Mr. McNeill returned to Washington and created “McNeill News Photo Service”. Commissioned by the United Negro College Fund, he compiled over a thousand black-and-white images chronicling postwar education programs for veterans in addition to the wide variety of other photograhs he took in early post-war period.
Come meet Susan on July 5th and hear about her father’s amazing career and the stories behind his photographs. Free event, doors will open at 5 PM at 22660 Washington St., Leonardtown, MD (first floor of the Leonardtown Arts Center). A door prize drawing will be held at 6:30 PM, must be present to win.
For additional info call 240-309-4061, email info@smcart.org or visit www.stmarysartscouncil.com. To learn more about our featured artist visit www.roberthmcneill.com.