U.S. Department of the InteriorDOI News Header
Office of the Secretary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2007
Contacts:
Hunter Hollins, (202) 208-4659
Joan Moody, (202) 208-6416

Photography Exhibit of Siberian-Yupik Community Members
Opens at Interior Museum

WASHINGTON -- Portrait of a Divided Maritime Family, Reinforcing Siberian Yupik Connections with Art, a project by L. Saunders McNeill, will be on view at the Interior Museum from March 16, 2007 until May 21, 2007.

McNeill, in collaboration with the National Park Service, began this project in 1998 with the purpose of using art and photography to strengthen ties between internationally dispersed Siberian Yupik family members living on the islands of the Bering Sea.

McNeill worked with hundreds of community members to document and photograph the proud and hard working people separated by harsh seas, international boundaries and loss of a common spoken language. Crisp portraits of dozens of family members capture the weathered beauty of a seafaring people and McNeill’s poetic journal entries convey the sadness and humor of their lives.

The public is invited to visit the Interior Museum Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except Federal holidays), and during the third Saturday of each month from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The visitor entrance to the Main Interior Building is at 1849 C Street, N.W. Admission is always free, however, each adult must have photo identification.

The public also has access to the Indian Craft Shop, the Interior Library and the Cafeteria. For a complete tour of the building and its murals please make an appointment with the staff and try to contact them at least a week before your visit to ensure that there will be a guide available. For more information call 202-208-4659.

 
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