Causecast

May 3 – 15, 2009
Opening Reception Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Burtzloff Family Library

Sierra Canyon School is proud to present “JOURNEY: Images of War/Celebrations of Peace,” a powerful tribute to the late Dan Eldon, a young artist and photojournalist whose images of war-torn and famine-stricken Somalia reverberated throughout the world.

Exhibition Opening and Reception

7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Tuesday, May 12th

Screening of Dying to Tell the Story

Panel Discussion with Coby Atlas, Kathy Eldon, Amy Eldon-Turteltaub

This traveling exhibition contains both photographs taken in Somalia, as well as large reproductions of the collages Dan Eldon created in his journals, supplies and personal belongings. The exhibition will be on display in The Burtzloff Family Library, located on the Upper Campus of Sierra Canyon School from May 3 through 15, 2009.

“This exhibition is a wonderful opportunity for our students, faculty, parents and the larger Sierra Canyon community,” said Jim Skrumbis, Head of School. “Dan Eldon’s images and collage-style journals provide a wonderful ‘teaching moment,’ as they reflect his journey as an artist, journalist and activist. We are honored to display this compelling work, and we look forward to fostering collaborations with the Creative Visions Foundation as part of our school’s Service Learning initiatives, and as a means to support others like Dan who use media and the arts to inspire political activism.”

Following the May 12th opening, a screening of “Dying to Tell the Story” will take place on the esplanade of the Upper Campus. Dan’s sister, Kathy Eldon, and mother Amy Eldon-Turteltaub, and Coby Atlas, Director for Creative Visions Productions, who produced “Dying to Tell the Story” will participate in a panel discussion about the convergence of [need information.]

In the summer of 1993, Eldon, who was on location covering the Somali conflict for Reuters news agency, was asked by Somali locals to photograph destruction caused by the mistaken bombing by the U.N. of what they believed was the house of a warlord. Amid the ruins, and the frenzy that ensued, Eldon and four other journalists were stoned to death by the enraged mob. Dan was 22 years old when he died.

Dan’s mother and sister, Kathy and Amy, who both reside in Los Angeles, continue to honor Dan’s legacy and spirit through their foundation, Creative Visions Foundation (CVF) (www.creativevisions.org), which supports creative activists like Dan who use media and the arts to create awareness and inspire positive change in the world. CVF sponsors Dan’s traveling exhibit and also provides vital assistance such as mentoring, networking and financial support to other creative activists. Says Kathy, “Dan would have loved the energy and diversity of Sierra Canyon School students, and would have been proud to think that his work would be displayed in their beautiful 7th – 12th grade Upper Campus.”

“JOURNEY: Images of War/Celebrations of Peace” has toured six countries and has been opened by more than four heads of state, including the President of Kenya and former President of Ireland and U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson. Journalist Dan Rather opened the show at Columbia University and Tom Brokaw spoke at Duke University when the exhibit opened there.

Gallery hours are 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.