Witness Exhibit Opens August 26 in SSU's Fulton Hall Gallery

SALISBURY, MD--From Thursday, August 26 - October 24, the Salisbury State University Gallery in Fulton Hall will present the exhibit Witness, a collection of photographic portraits of 100 plants and animals currently on the Endangered Species List of North America. "Susan Middleton and David Liittschwager's images are poignant and their message simple," said University Gallery Director Ken Basile. This exquisite array of flora and fauna will disappear forever if something isnt done to prevent the destruction of their habitat.

Middleton, in her introduction to the book Witness, states "We turned our eyes toward animals and plants, members of species with million-year histories, which may be the last of their kind.They are exposed and vulnerable as their habits, the ecosystems to which they belong, are diminishing."

Middleton was born in Seattle. After studying sociology and art at the University of Santa Clara, she began her career as a photographer of Hopi kachinas and other empowered objects in the anthropology collections at the California Academy of Sciences. In 1985 she spent a year working with the fashion photographer Richard Avedon in New York City. Her photographs have appeared in books, journals and magazines worldwide. She is chair of the California Academy of Sciences Department of Photography and is based in San Francisco.

Liittschwager is a freelance photographer who grew up in Eugene, Oregon. His most significant training occurred through assisting Richard Avedon in New York City from 1984 - 1986. His work with photographers Mary Ellen Mark and Martin Bell has led him to India, Australia and the former Soviet Union. Liittschwager's photographs have appeared in Life, National Geographic, and The New York Times Magazine. He lives and works in San Francisco.

This exhibition is supported by grants from the Salisbury Pepsi Cola Co.,the Calumet Institute and the Maryland State Arts Council.

The SSU Gallery is open Tuesday - Friday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and weekends noon - 4 p.m. For information call the SSU Galleries at 410-543-6271.