JWP Museum to unveil new exhibit Glen Canyon Exposed: Now and Then
by the John Wesley Powell River History Museum
Glen Canyon Exposed: Now and Then is a landmark photographic and film exhibit by celebrated artists Dawn Kish and Tad Nichols. This unique showcase presents two perspectives of Glen Canyon: Nichols’ iconic 1950s images, captured before the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, and Kish’s contemporary photographs and documentary film, chronicling the canyon’s stunning reemergence as water levels recede.
The exhibit blends art and advocacy, bringing together the work of two artists separated by decades but united by their shared love for Glen Canyon. Visitors will journey through time, witnessing the power of photography and film to preserve, protect, and inspire action for this iconic landscape.
The Legacy of Tad Nichols
Tad Nichols, often referred to as “the Ansel Adams of Glen Canyon,” dedicated his life to documenting the beauty of the canyon before it was lost to Lake Powell’s rising waters. Alongside conservationists like Katie Lee and Frank Wright, Nichols embarked on expedition after expedition, capturing images that would become his landmark book, Images of a Lost World. His photographs not only immortalized the Glen’s breathtaking landscapes but also served as a call to action for future generations.
Dawn Kish: A New Chapter in Glen Canyon's Story
In 2021, Dawn Kish, a photographer, filmmaker, and seasoned river guide, was entrusted with Nichols’ original 4×5 large-format film camera by Flagstaff-based printmaker Richard Jackson. Inspired by Nichols’ work, Kish set out to tell Glen Canyon’s next chapter.
As Lake Powell’s water levels receded, exposing forgotten canyons, Kish used Nichols’ camera and book as both tools and inspiration. Inspired by his images, she photographed areas long thought lost and created the award-winning documentary Tad’s Emerging World: Glen Canyon Exposed, which has been screened across the West and internationally since its 2022 premiere.
Your Support Makes a Difference
Donate $50: Receive an invite to an exclusive pre-opening event at the museum.
Donate $191 (the number of vertical feet exposed at the reservoir’s low point): Receive a pre-opening invite AND a limited-edition exhibit poster.
Donate $500 or more: Receive a pre-opening invite, a limited-edition exhibit poster, AND a signed 16″x 20″ photographic print by Dawn Kish made by master print maker Richard Jackson.
Buy your ticket here.