Photographer, Filmmaker Mark E. Trent Exhibit at Lee Street Studios
Lewisburg, WV – Lee Street Studios invites the public to a free opening reception for “it just wasn’t enough” a photographic exhibit of resident artist Mark Trent’s documentary photography.
Friday, June 1 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm visitors will get a first look at what Trent calls, “the most honest, sincere body of work about who I am as a photographer.” The reception will include light refreshments and the opportunity to meet the artist.
The exhibit, which has been called “intimate, honest and darkly sincere” seeks to explore the multidimensionality of life in Appalachia. Subjects include opioid addiction, family and landscape. Guests are advised some content may be considered offensive and the exhibit is not appropriate for children.
Trent was born and raised in Greenbrier County, but his prolific career has taken him across the world covering stories for CNN, The New York Times, and corporate clients such as General Electric, Target, Subaru, and Warner Brothers.
He has garnered wide acclaim for his coverage of the opioid epidemic plaguing West Virginia. An expose spanning more than eight years of Trent’s intimate and personal chronicle of the lives of people battling addiction in the small town of Rainelle, WV will be published soon in the New York Times. Portions of that body of work are included in “it just wasn’t enough.”
“This place is in my blood,” Trent says of his connection to West Virginia. He attempts to explain his complex relationship to his home:
“When it comes to covering Appalachia, there are organizations focused on telling one side of our complicated story, like ‘Oh, everything is great here.’ I do think everything is great here, but I also appreciate all the darkness. It’s what makes this place beautiful to me.”
“it just wasn’t enough” will remain on display in the Lee Street Studios gallery from June 1 – June 28. This exhibit is not appropriate for young or sensitive audiences.
Learn more about Lee Street Studios by visiting LeeStreetStudiosWV.com or call 681-318-3551. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.