Morristown National Historical Park Presents Photography Exhibit

Morristown National Historical Park presents “Jockey Hollow. A Closer Look,” a fine art photography exhibition and companion programs by Xiomaro, the park’s first “Virtual” Artist-in-Residence, at its Jockey Hollow Visitor Center at Tempe Wick Road, Morristown, New Jersey. The free exhibition, which runs from June 6 to July 31, 2021, features large photographs of the Jockey Hollow site, which was occupied by George Washington and his troops during the Revolutionary War. The park will also broadcast videos of the artist presenting an illustrated talk about his work as well as a smartphone photography webinar.

Arts programming has been severely curtailed by the pandemic. Through a partnership with Morris Arts, the park was furnished with a grant to create a unique Virtual Artist-in-Residence relationship with Xiomaro (pronounced “SEE-oh-MAH-ro”), a nationally exhibited artist. Fine art photographs mounted against the windows of the park’s Jockey Hollow Visitor Center can be viewed from outdoors in a socially-distanced setting. Xiomaro’s illustrated talk and photography workshop will be presented by video.

The exhibition features selections from the first contemporary collection of photographs to artistically document the key features of Jockey Hollow, which were created by Xiomaro under a commission from the National Park Service. The images show the dwellings of Henry Wick (owner of Jockey Hollow), George Washington, his officers, and his troops. By placing these images side-by-side, Xiomaro presents a closer look and context that transcends a physical visit to each location in real time. The viewer is 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.

“Xiomaro’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,” said Jude M. Pfister, 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 was the subject of “Unseen Beauty,” a short documentary film produced by the National Park Service and its partners.

Funding for Xiomaro’s Virtual Artist-in-Residence has been made possible in part by funds from Morris Arts through 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 visit the artist’s website for details and a free souvenir print from the exhibition: www.xiomaro.com or contact Morristown National Historical Park at (862) 400-5972.