MEDIA CONTACTS: Polly Burks
561-297-2595, pburks@fau.edu or
Stacia Smith
561-297-2971, ssmith@fau.edu

Florida Atlantic University Presents William Wegman's "It's a Dog's Life"

Boca Raton, FL (July 5, 2005) - Florida Atlantic University's University Galleries will present "It's A Dog's Life: Photographs by William Wegman from the Polaroid Collection" Friday, September 9 through Saturday, November 12 in the Ritter Art Gallery on the FAU Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road. There will be a reception on Thursday, September 15 at 6 p.m. and lectures about the exhibition on Thursday, October 6 at 7 p.m. and Tuesday, October 11 at 7 p.m. The exhibition, reception and lectures are free and open to the public.

Wegman is well known for his color photographs of Weimaraner dogs posed and dressed in a variety of ways. His directing and costuming of these dogs results in photographs that make viewers smile and marvel at the amazing complacency and adaptability of these beautiful dogs.

Wegman began including his first Weimaraner in his photography and video work in the 1970s. This first dog was named "Man Ray" after the infamous 20th century surrealist artist. In the mid 1980s, after his first dog's death, Wegman began staging photographs with "Fay Ray," his second Weimaraner, and eventually her off spring. During this time, Wegman also began making the color Polaroid photographs that are featured in "It's a Dog's Life." The beautifully detailed and richly colored prints that make up the exhibition are created with a rare 20" x 24" view camera that Polaroid has selectively loaned to only highly regarded artists and photographers.

Wegman is internationally known for creating innovative artwork in many media and styles beyond the photographs of dogs for which he has become popularly known. Wegman's early video work will also be represented in the FAU exhibition through "Selected Works by William Wegman, 1970-78," an edited anthology of his early video works.

"It's A Dog's Life: Photographs by William Wegman from the Polaroid Collection" was organized by Barbara Hitchcock of the Polaroid Collection. The exhibition is managed by the DeLand Museum of Art in central Florida. The exhibition's presentation at FAU is made possible in part by Bank of America; The Ritter Family Foundation; The Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, Florida Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts; the Palm Beach County Cultural Council; FAU Student Government through student activity fees; David Jones Fine Arts Services, Boca Raton; and contributions from Friends of the University Galleries.

The Ritter Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday 1 to 5 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday. Group and class tours are welcome by appointment at other hours. For further information, call 561-297-2966.

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