Iconic B&W photo exhibit coming to CMC Steamboat

Public reception for museum-quality photography collection June 28

Frida Kahlo by Lola Alvarez Bravo — “Frida Kahlo,” a photographic portrait of the Mexican artist by Lola Alvarez Bravo, is one of 28 vintage black-and-white photographs from the George and Patti Stranahan Collection that will be on display June 28-Aug. 28 at the college’s campus in Steamboat Springs.

Photography aficionados, whether amateur or professional, should find something that stokes their creative juices when they view 28 black-and-white, museum-quality photos on the walls of Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs.

A free opening reception for the public is set for Friday, June 28, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the CMC campus in Steamboat Springs. The photos will be displayed in the front entrance lobby of the campus’s new academic center building, where they’ll be on view through Aug. 28.

The photos, taken from 1926 to 1997, are the work of such renowned photographers as Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Andrè Kertèsz and Milton Greene. The exhibit is part of a collection of 81 museum-quality photographs donated to the college by philanthropists and Carbondale residents George and Patti Stranahan.

Siphnos, Greece by Henri Cartier-Bresson — “Siphnos, Greece,” Henri Cartier-Bresson, part of CMC’s George and Patti Stranahan Collection

The collection took the Stranahans about 30 years to compile. Rather than keeping the extraordinary images in a private collection, several years ago they donated them to the college, to help teach and inspire future photographers. The photos have also been displayed, through the college’s ArtShare department, at CMC campuses in Breckenridge, Aspen, Rifle and Leadville, and at the gallery at the college’s central administrative offices in Glenwood Springs, as well as at the Aspen Institute.

Marilyn Monroe by Milton Greene — “Marilyn Monroe,” a portrait of the actress by photographer Milton Greene, part of CMC’s George and Patti Stranahan Collection

Chez Mondrian by Andrè Kertèsz — “Chez Mondrian,” Andrè Kertèsz, part of CMC’s George and Patti Stranahan Collection

Colorado Mountain College’s Steamboat Springs campus is located at 1275 Crawford Avenue.