Photography taken by Artist-in-Residence Xiomáro of the Ford Mansion and Wick House
Xiomáro
Xiomáro, the park’s first “Virtual” Artist-in-Residence will present, Rediscovering Morristown National Historical Park: A Photographic Exhibition, a free exhibition, starting June 4 through July 31, 2022, In an exhibition held last year, his work focused on Jocky Hollow. This year's works expand to feature large-scale photographs of the significant locations throughout the park: Jockey Hollow, the Cross Estate, and the Ford Mansion.
Through a partnership with Morris Arts, starting in 2021, the park was awarded a grant to create a unique Virtual Artist-in-Residence relationship with Xiomáro (pronounced “SEE-oh-MAH-ro”), a nationally exhibited artist. Fine art photographs are mounted inside and against the windows of the park’s Jockey Hollow Visitor Center as to be viewed from the outdoors in an innovative and socially-distanced setting.
While the summer of 2021 precluded public gatherings, Xiomáro provided virtual workshops and talks via video, a sampling of which is offered below.
For this summer, Xiomáro will offer several programming opportunities: free, LIVE, in person, and in a less socially distanced manner, starting out with an artist's reception opening the exhibit at the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center, on June 4 from 10 AM to 2 PM.
The following Saturday, June 11, from 2 PM to 4 PM, the artist will host a photo walk and talk about the Wick Farm and Grand Parade Trail. Meet in the Jockey Hollow Visitor Center.
Finally, Saturday, June 18, Xiomɑ́ro will present a family-friendly concert in Washington’s Headquarters Museum. He will be accompanied by singer-songwriter, Saint, The concert incorporates an illustrated talk about his National Park photography and the connections to his music.
The exhibition expands on selections from last year's contemporary collection of photographs to artistically document the key features of Jockey Hollow. The images featured Henry Wick's modest home (owner of Jockey Hollow), George Washington, his officers, and his troops. With images side-by-side, Xiomáro presented a closer look and a context that transcends a physical visit to each location in real-time. The viewer was left with a greater appreciation for the vast differences in how these iconic figures of the American Revolutionary War endured the harsh winter of 1779-1780.
“Xiomáro’s understanding of history through the lens makes him an outstanding ambassador for our continued efforts to reach all types of learners from more than one perspective,” observed Jude M. Pfister, the park's Chief of Cultural Resources.
The artist’s unique perspective also drew the attention of Morristown and Morris Township Library, which acquired some of his photographic prints for their North Jersey History and Genealogy Center. His work and aesthetic philosophy were the subjects of “Unseen Beauty,” a short documentary film produced by the National Park Service and its partners.
Funding for Xiomáro’s Virtual Artist-in-Residence has been made possible by Morris Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Morris Arts facilitates such partnerships to reach an audience of nearly 325,000 residents with hundreds of artistic and educational activities, events, and programs. For more information contact Morristown National Historical Park at (862) 400-5972.
Find videos from the 2021 virtual exhibition activities below. In these video segments, Xiomáro talks about some of the subjects of his photographs and his with dozens of national park sites across the country.
Xiomaro, Artist in Residence at Morristown National Historical Park, continues a 3-part workshop series where he offers tips for doing cellphone photography.
