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Image for event: Intruders in the Dirt

Intruders in the Dirt

The Architecture and Landscape of the Arkansas Delta

2022-07-26 09:00:00 2022-07-26 19:00:00 America/Chicago Intruders in the Dirt Photographic exhibit by Brian Cormack, showcasing the architecture, landscape and history of the Arkansas Delta. William F. Laman Public Library - Laman Gallery - Exhibits

Tuesday, July 26
9:00am - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2022-07-26 09:00:00 2022-07-26 19:00:00 America/Chicago Intruders in the Dirt Photographic exhibit by Brian Cormack, showcasing the architecture, landscape and history of the Arkansas Delta. William F. Laman Public Library - Laman Gallery - Exhibits

William F. Laman Public Library

Laman Gallery - Exhibits

Photographic exhibit by Brian Cormack, showcasing the architecture, landscape and history of the Arkansas Delta.

Artist Statement
 
Even though I had permission to be there, it felt like I was breaking and entering. That was mostly because I was entering via a broken window, like a thief in the night. The remains of the wooden boards that once covered the window had already been roughly kicked aside and were scattered on the ground amongst a mosaic of broken glass, which popped and cracked as I carefully stepped through. It felt eerie and wrong, like I was entering a neglected tomb.
 
Beyond was the lobby of a once grand hotel, which had been left abandoned for several decades. Its current condition was rough, a far cry from the luxurious landmark that it once was. The fine marble floors were covered with a thick layer of dust and debris. The stained glass in the skylight was gone, and rain water had been allowed to pour through holes in the roof. The marble steps were fractured and crumbling. There was that sweet and pungent smell of decay, and an eerie stillness that muffled the sounds of the street outside. Cool air that was caught on a current passed through the building with a chill, like a ghost sweeping by.  Above all was that pervasive sense of melancholy that seems to infect all forgotten places.
 
The hotel was the Hotel Pines in Pine Bluff, which opened in 1913 but closed in 1970.  After decades of abandonment, it was sold in 2017 and plans have been made for its revival. But other buildings in the Arkansas Delta are not so lucky.  Just a few blocks from the Hotel Pines is the old Saenger Theater, an architectural masterpiece that is crumbling away. Every year, more homes and buildings in the Delta are lost to arson, the bulldozer or just the unending assault of gravity and weather on weary structures.
 
The Delta region of eastern Arkansas is an area filled with rich history and culture. But economic and cultural changes have led to a steep decline in population in many Delta communities. Once bustling cities now have boarded up and closed downtowns, and many old homes and churches are abandoned and empty. These buildings and places represent generations of lives; of people who lived, suffered, rejoiced, and worked amongst these ruins.
 
This project was undertaken in order to help showcase the architecture of the Delta, with a focus on its historic and abandoned structures. The hope is that these photographs might help bring attention to these places, and perhaps even help in some of them being saved. And if that is not possible, to at least document them before they disappear. There is no way to replace a structure once it is gone, but a small capture of time that is preserved in a photograph can suggest, in a merest whisper, that somehow we might be able to hold onto a place for just a little bit longer.
 
These photographs were taken with either a Canon 6D, an Olympus E-30 or an Olympus EM-5, between 2012 and 2022. They represent several thousand miles driven across the state, and hours of work spent researching and editing. I would like to thank Richard Theilig and everyone at the Laman Library for hosting this exhibition. It’s an honor for me to have my photographs on display at my hometown library, near where I used to read books in the children’s section or did research in high school.
 
And I can not thank enough my wife Caroline for her infinite patience. And also my sons Jonah and Elliott for all the time I spent away driving out towards old buildings. I would never have been able to take these pictures, or put on this show, without their support.
 
Brian Cormack
 
About the Artist:
Brian Cormack is a photographer living in Little Rock. He has a BA in Communications from the University of the Ozarks and a MA in Journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. His work has toured the state nine times as part of the Small Works on Paper exhibition, which is put on annually by the Arkansas Arts Council. His work has also appeared in the Historic Arkansas Museum, and has been used by organizations such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. You may view more of his work at www.cormackphotos.com.

AGE GROUP: | General |

EVENT TYPE: | Exhibits/Displays/Installations |

TAGS: | #exhibit | #briancormack | #Arkansas_Delta |

William F. Laman Public Library

Phone: 501-758-1720

Hours
Mon, Jul 07 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Tue, Jul 08 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Wed, Jul 09 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Thu, Jul 10 9:00AM to 7:00PM
Fri, Jul 11 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Sat, Jul 12 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Sun, Jul 13 Closed

About the branch

This is the primary location of the William F. Laman Public Library.

Upcoming Events

Thu, Jul 10, All day
Argenta Public Library - Argenta Gallery - Exhibits
This exhibit is FREE to the public and will be on display during library hours Monday--Friday 9 am-6 pm, starting Friday, June 20, 2025, through Friday, July 11, 2025.

Thu, Jul 10, All day
Innovation Hub
This exhibit is FREE to the public and will be displayed during business hours at the Innovation Hub until July 25th.

Thu, Jul 10, All day
William F. Laman Public Library
Discover the art that brings NLR to life! Visit 10 outdoor pieces and three galleries. Explore your city, support local art, and earn a prize when you complete your map.

Thu, Jul 10, 9:00am - 10:30am
William F. Laman Public Library - Lecture Hall
Arkansas Community Advocates will have volunteers here to distribute food to those in need.

Thu, Jul 10, 9:00am - 7:00pm
William F. Laman Public Library - Laman Gallery - Exhibits
Paintings by local artist, Andrew Deiser

Thu, Jul 10, 10:00am - 12:00pm
William F. Laman Public Library
Calling all fiber artists! Bring your knit, crochet, or loom projects and work on those with our group!

Thu, Jul 10, 10:00am - 11:00am
Argenta Public Library
Sand art is such a fun and creative activity for kids—great for wearing. Join us outdoors at Argenta Library to have fun with sand art.

Thu, Jul 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
William F. Laman Public Library - Tech Hub B
New to using a computer? Learn the basics of the keyboard and mouse, plus beginner typing skills, in this fun and easy hands-on class!

Cancelled
Thu, Jul 10, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
ROVER
Can't make it to the library? Now the library comes to you. Catch us at your favorite shopping mall!

Thu, Jul 10, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Argenta Public Library - Argenta Children's Area
Explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, arts and math this summer through hands-on experiences and engaging activities! Colors, and sights abound as we combine learning & fun!

Thu, Jul 10, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
William F. Laman Public Library
Have you eve wanted to roleplay as a giant wood elf ranger just because it sounds cool? If yes, then this is the game for you!

Thu, Jul 10, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
William F. Laman Public Library - The Loft - Teen Center
Dabble in creative expression through painting- inspired and instructed by a local artist! 10 seats available- email Jenna at jjones@nlrlibrary.org to register.
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Cancelled
Thu, Jul 10, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
ROVER
Can't make it to the library, well now the library comes to you! Catch us in your neighborhood and join us to have some fun!

Thu, Jul 10, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
William F. Laman Public Library - Laman Gallery - Events
Join Black Cobra's Breezy and Josh to explore the history and techniques of the iconic American Traditional art style. This is not a tattoo class—just pure artistic tradition!
Registration is now closed

Thu, Jul 10, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Innovation Hub - Glass Studio
Add a splash of color and creativity to your space with a stunning glass suncatcher you design yourself!
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Thu, Jul 10, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Innovation Hub
In this lecture-style class, dive into the fascinating world of glaze chemistry, learning how different ingredients interact to create stunning surface effects.
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Thu, Jul 10, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
William F. Laman Public Library - Lecture Hall
Have fun and get fit with everybody's favorite exercise class!