A Life in Photography exhibition runs  through July 24 at Muskegon Museum of Art

Tribune Newswire

Muskegon County — Ken Stevens: A Life in Photography, an exhibition of work by beloved photojournalist Ken Stevens (1963-2014), will run through July 24. The exhibition opened April 28 at the Muskegon Museum of Art.

Photos by Stevens appeared in The Muskegon Chronicle and MLive for 28 years, bringing images of major events and the quiet experiences of everyday living to readers.

“The exhibition has been a great way to celebrate the history of Muskegon, looking back through the career of a photojournalist who helped capture that history”  said Associate Curator Art Martin.

Ken’s photographs brought drama and emotion to a visual record of the day’s news, sharing moments that have become part of Muskegon’s history. Images from throughout the artist’s career, drawn from the archives of the Muskegon Chronicle and MLive and the Muskegon Museum of Art’s own permanent collection, was on display at the Museum.

Marguerite Curran, Communications and Public Relations Manager for the Museum said Ken’s photos captured all aspects of day-to-day life in Muskegon. “Ken shot photos of people, events and scenes in every Muskegon neighborhood, mirroring back the experience of living here. He covered everything–fires, kids playing, sports events, and funny and poignant everyday events–with artistry and a sympathetic eye”.

 The exhibition was underwritten by Consumers Energy Foundation. Co-sponsors were Steve and Rebecca Westphal and The Friends of Ken Stevens. Additional support was provided by MLive Media Group and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts.

A Ken Stevens Endowment Fund has been set up at his alma mater, Central Michigan University, to help develop the career potential of CMU photojournalism students. 

Development Director Kirk Hallman said “As part of the exhibition, we have encouraged visitors to give to the Ken Stevens Endowment Fund at his alma mater, Central Michigan University. The goal of the fund is to develop the career potential of CMU photojournalism students. We have raised over $10,000 here at the museum, putting the fund on the cusp of having a required $25,000 balance needed to begin awarding funds to students. There’s still time to see the exhibition and easily give to the CMU fund by scanning a QR code on show signage”. 

To donate, visit https://donate.cmich.edu/campaigns/ken-stevens-endowment-campaign/