Folk hero, musician and American icon Woody Guthrie would have turned 100 this year, an occasion that photographer Corey Woodruff has decided to honor with a photography exhibit that opens Saturday at Gallery Solaro, a new art space in the former Dick Brothers Brewery complex, 905 York.
Woodruff, a professional photographer and musician living in St. Louis, attended Unity High School in Mendon and graduated in 1997 from Quincy University.
"Even though I live in St. Louis now, I am proud to show these photos in my hometown," Woodruff said.
The impetus for the project was one of Guthrie's journal entries. In 1942, Guthrie wrote a list of "New Years Rulin's" in his notebook. Everything from personal hygiene ("Wash Teeth if Any," "Change Socks") to personal philosophy ("Keep Hoping Machine Running," "Help Win War-Beat Fascism") is covered.
The much-publicized list has come to serve as a primer for Guthrie's ideals and inspired Woodruff to create a series of photos illustrating each of the 33 resolutions on the list.
The subjects of Woodruff's photos include musicians, artists, writers, activists and even a dog named after Woody's son, Arlo.
"Whenever possible, I tried to photograph someone influenced by Guthrie," Woodruff said.
The exhibit opens Saturday with a free public viewing from 1 to 5 p.m. and a VIP dinner event from 7 to 10 p.m. The VIP event will feature live music, food and drinks, and additional Guthrie-related images.
Woodruff will be on hand at both events. The exhibit runs through Nov. 11.
For more information, call Liz Solaro at (314) 315-2696 or email her at info@gallerysolaro.
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