Eatonville, FLA – The Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts (The Hurston) will unveil the first exhibit of the 2008-2009 season on Saturday, September 13. Conversation with the World: Eatonville will profile the photographic expertise of artist Lonnie Graham as he captures the history and essence of Eatonville and its residents through his photography. The town of Eatonville serves as the ideal setting for Graham’s exhibit as it holds the distinction of being the nation’s oldest incorporated African-American municipality.

Graham, a professor of fine arts at Pennsylvania State University, will also serve as the guest curator for The Hurston’s 2008-2009 season. This season’s theme focuses on Community as the Medium for Artistic Expression.

Graham has engaged in conversation with individuals worldwide through his photography, travelling the continents of Africa, Asia and North America. Along with his photographs, Graham takes the time to interview the individuals he encounters on his travels, recording their opinions and beliefs on their culture, heritage and traditions.

One of his earlier projects with public schools and community organizations was designated as a National Model for Education by the White House. After being awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and the Pew Charitable Trust Travel Grant, his work expanded to the project, A Conversation with the World, a combination of visual art and socio-anthropology, where he illustrates the human condition from his interviews and photographs with people from around the globe.  This exhibit showcases Graham’s most recent conversations with the residents of the historic Eatonville community, featuring individuals from all walks of life and from a broad range of ages.

Conversation with the World: Eatonville runs through December 20, 2008. For more information, call (407) 647-3301 or visit www.zorafestival.com.

Established in 1990, the Zora Neale Hurston National Museum of Fine Arts (The Hurston) is located in Eatonville, Florida, the nation’s oldest incorporated African-American municipality and hometown of writer, folklorist and anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston. This exhibition museum provides a place in the heart of the community where the public can view the creative works of artists of African ancestry. The museum is a program of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community, Inc. (P.E.C.), a historic preservation organization whose mission is to enhance the town’s resources; educate the public about its significance and use its heritage and cultural vibrancy for economic development.