ABOUT THE PROJECT
March 22nd, 2022 sadly marks the first anniversary of ten lives lost in a tragedy that had an impact on many people. We believe that photography can serve as a tool for reflection, story-generating and healing. A series of collaborative portraits made by Ross Taylor, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, will be displayed at the Museum of Boulder. For more information about the Museum of Boulder, click here.
The community is invited to share their photos or short video clips. Pictures of things they resonated with on the memorial site, such as the poems, the stuffed animals, the flower wall, the painted rocks or any other photos that help process, reflect, and remember are welcome through the Collections Department of the Museum of Boulder.
The collaboration of the portraits and photos involves only those who want to share their story. The goal primarily focuses on the therapeutic act of building community through the power of documentary. By allowing a space for those to be heard and seen, documentary work can redirect memories of a moment and allow those negatively affected to reclaim strength through their representation. We also intend to incorporate memorabilia from the memorial sites, Boulder Strong Resource Center and community curation. This work contributes to the historical record of Boulder. Together, we process and celebrate the strength seen in each other’s reflection and response to tragedy as we move forward.
IN THE MEDIA:
Colorado Matters, Colorado Public Radio, “March 18, 2022: Pain – and healing – a
year after the Boulder King Soopers shooting,” a special edition of the hour-long show
Colorado Matters, https://bit.ly/3IoF1QD
9 News, “Portrait exhibit honors people impacted by King Soopers shooting,” https://bit.ly/36GNXDW
Denver 7, “"Boulder Strong: Still Strong": Exhibit reflecting on King Soopers shooting
debuts,” https://bit.ly/3h22dck
The Denver Post, “Emotional new art exhibition focuses on people directly affected by
the King Soopers shooting,” https://dpo.st/3sTFSDb
Fox 31, “Boulder exhibit remembers King Soopers tragedy,” https://bit.ly/3LPjrI7
9News, “'Boulder Strong Still Strong': Museum hopes exhibit serves as tool for
reflection after shooting,” https://bit.ly/3BEJVY4
5280 Magazine, “A Local Photographer’s New Exhibit Honors Victims of the Boulder
King Soopers Shooting,” https://bit.ly/3M4q9d4
The Daily Camera, “‘Still Strong’ exhibit offers community healing with portraiture,
preserved King Soopers memorial items,” https://bit.ly/3LhMQdE
9News, “Portrait project helping Boulder heal after King Soopers Shooting,” https://bit.ly/3IHVP6n
The Daily Camera (front page, Sunday edition), “Tangible Reflection of the
Community’s Response.” Also published on Yahoo.com. Links: https://yhoo.it/3lZthLY &
KGNU, “‘A Lens Towards Healing’ Photography Exhibit Documents Boulder Strong
Movement And Life After A Mass Shooting,” interview of my portrait project was
featured on KGNU. https://bit.ly/3sa56yr
A special thank you to the Community Foundation Boulder County for their financial support of the exhibit and this effort. Please visit this link for more information. It’s through their support that so much of this is possible.
We’d also like to thank:
Mental Health Partners for their support of this venture. Please click this link to learn more about their healing efforts for Boulder County and to learn more about the Boulder Strong Resource Center.
King Soopers for their support behind this archive. We’re grateful for their support along the way.
Boulder Police Department for opening their space and helping to coordinate portraits with so many of these important people in our community.
The District Attorney’s office for Boulder County for their assistance in coordinating many of the portraits, as well.
A note about the photographs:
The portraits in this collection are a collaboration with those photographed. In many cases, the people featured chose their photographs for the archive. Some post-processing of the images was used to provide a unified look and archival representation to them, drawing from an illustration of an old book cover as the textured background. The intent of this was to add a sense of visual cohesiveness and an archival feel to the collection of portraits.
About the photographer: Ross Taylor is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. His work has been recognized internationally with prestigious awards such as Photographer of the Year (Large Markets), Northern Photographer of the Year, New England Photographer of the year, VIrginia Photographer of the Year and North Carolina Photographer of the Year (twice). His first feature film, The Hardest Day, was accepted into around 20 film festivals. He has also been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for his work in an Afghanistan trauma hospital.
A thank you to Cindy Torres, who assisted throughout the portrait series. She was invaluable to the process and is a longtime Boulder resident. Thanks, also, to her dog, Jesse, who comforted many people in the process.
