Forty-five years, hundreds of views

The Denver International Airport was built far away from some of the Colorado’s most famous locations, but 45 years of photographs by Barbara Gal will give travelers a sampling of the state.

DIA is exhibiting Gal’s show, “45 Years in Colorado” in the Community Case Gallery on the southeast end of Level 5 in Jeppesen Terminal, near the baggage claim. The show will be on display through May 2015.

“I got my first camera when I was 10 years old and have been taking photos ever since,” said Gal. “People who have been in Colorado for a long time will see plenty of places they remember and new people will have chance to share in Colorado history.”

Some of the more well-known sites in the exhibit include Denver’s skyline, Peru Creek Mines, RTD’s W Rail line, and Denver’s Civic Center.

Gal first moved to Colorado in 1971 and has taken photos the entire time she’s been here. As an art and photography and art teacher at Columbine High School, she developed a deep and lasting appreciation for what photography makes possible.

“Taking photos has kind of become a compulsion for me,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve heard a lot of great stories from people with this exhibit.”

The exhibit is set up like a map, using photographs to tell stories of different locations –; like I-70 or downtown Denver –; through time. Many of the places Gal photographed have changed dramatically since she captured the image on film. Some have even been completely erased.

Since retiring from teaching, Gal said she has had time to explore new parts of the state with her camera, and became involved with arts groups. She is a member of the NEXT Gallery and a founding member of 40 West Arts District.

“Barbara has been involved since the beginning –; she was part of our original champion group,” said Bill Marino, chair of 40 West. “She has been involved in almost every show we’ve done and volunteers with us a lot. It was a great selection by the folks at DIA to show her work.”

When she looks at the exhibit, Gal sees the story of her life told with images.

“Each one of the 12 cases has a story –; it’s a collage of history,” she said. “I wasn’t born here but this is now my state.

For more information on DIA’s arts and culture program, visit www.flydenver.com/about/art_culture.

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