Local photographer Terry Johnston to guide urban photo walk

The Grand Rapids Art Museum will host an urban photo walk this Friday. The tour is a sub-section of GRAM on the Green and Friday Night Conversations. Guests can arrive early and stay late to take part in other GRAM on the Green events.

The tour will begin in the lobby of the museum at 7:00 p.m., enter into the Cities in Transition exhibit for discussion and exploration, and continue onto the streets of Grand Rapids where guests can take photographs of their own. The photo walk is $5 for non-members or $2 with a coupon, and is free for members.

“We think [the guests] will leave here inspired. Friday Night Conversations are all about collaboration, and the idea that art inspires art," says Natalie Thomas, marketing assistant at the GRAM. "We hope that guests will enjoy this photo walk and continue to explore the many ways to understand and approach artistic expression, and in some cases even create their own works of art."

Johnston hopes to discuss the deeper meaning behind taking photographs.

“I want people to think about more than just what the photo is about. I want them to think about intent and why a certain photo was taken the way it was," he says.

Thomas said there has been a lot of positive feedback regarding previous photo walks, with the number of participants ranging from 10 to 40.

“Many guests really enjoy the hands-on aspect of the walks, the perspectives shared by the photographer leading the walk, and how it is open to everyone from the seasoned photography professionals to people who come in with their cell phone cameras,” Thomas said.

For Johnston, Grand Rapids provides the perfect opportunity to experience art and photography.

“There is so much to explore downtown,” Johnston says. “I’ve always loved Grand Rapids. Anything I can do to bring people into the city and show them the art community, I will.”