New Fernbank Photography Exhibition Shines Golden Light on Georgia through Artistic Eyes of Students

A new photography exhibition commissioned by Fernbank Museum of Natural History reveals Georgia’s golden history through the work of students at Atlanta’s Portfolio Center. Georgia’s Heart of Gold features 41 photographs that showcase gold’s local and historic influence—from modern-day gold panners to distinguished gold medal winners, from gold records to gold “grillz,” and from Dahlonega’s gold mines to the State Capitol’s gold dome.

Georgia’s Heart of Gold, on view from September 26, 2009-January 3, 2010, was created through a partnership between Fernbank Museum and the Portfolio Center to complement the Museum’s presentation of GOLD, a separate exhibition that combines golden artifacts, nuggets, jewelry and awards to explore the cultural significance and historical fascination with this enduring symbol of wealth, power and beauty.

Georgia’s Heart of Gold highlights the diverse work of seven students and includes close-ups, black-and-whites, action shots, panoramics, worm's-eye views, bird's-eye views and more. Medals, metals, grillz, pans, buildings, musicians, jewelry—the images cover the full spectrum.

Photo by Leigh Anna Thompson - Lost Dutchman’s Mining Association Annual Gathering at the Loud Mine in Dahlonega, GA.

For more information visit Fernbank Museum.