Opening Friday, April 25, Living Legends of Alexandria will be featured in the Coldsmith Gallery at The Lyceum, Alexandrias History Museum. The new exhibition is part of an ongoing project documenting the talents and work of individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the quality of life in Alexandria.
Living Legends is a joint program of the Rotary Club of Alexandria and the Alexandria GazettePacket. Nina Tisara conceived of the project and now serves as both project coordinator and photographer, while Christa Watters is writer/editor.
Living Legends of Alexandria began in the fall of 2006 when the Alexandria Gazette Packet asked its readers to nominate local citizens whose vision and energy had improved life in the community. In this first year, fifty nominations were received, and twelve legends were selected. Criteria for selection are based on the nominee’s creation of a tangible improvement to the City, an improvement which would not have happened without that person’s vision and determination. The 2006-2007 Living Legends are: Ferdinand Day, Vola Lawson, State Senator Patsy Ticer, Marian Van Landingham, Gladys Seisler, Judge Stephen Rideout, David Cleary, Joe Youcha, Debra Roepke, Carolyn Griffin, David B. Martin, and William B. Hurd.
The Living Legends of Alexandria exhibition will feature photographs of 48 of the nominees (two could not be reached for participation) with information about their contributions. Living Legends of Alexandria will be on view at The Lyceum through Monday, September 8.
This new documentary record of community life is being permanently retained and will be available to researchers in the Alexandria Library and on the Alexandria Gazette Packet website. Nomination forms for Living Legends 2008-2009 are available at www.tisaraphoto.com/legends or by calling 703.838.8098.
The Lyceum is located at 201 South Washington Street and is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and free off-street parking is available. For more information, please call 703.838.4994.
