Press Releases

NEW BEDFORD WHALING MUSEUM'S NEW EXHIBIT BRINGS TO LIGHT THE FACES OF THE CITY'S WORKING WATERFRONT


Opening of "Working Waterfront, Photographic Portraits"
on Friday, May 29th, from 5:30-8:00 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD, MA (date) - - The City of New Bedford is recognized as the number one fishing port in the country and one of the top fishing ports in the world, but the faces of the local workers who supply the seafood to the market have been largely unseen.

That is, up until now.

"Working Waterfront, Photographic Portraits," featuring the photographs of Phillip Mello, will open on May 29, 2009, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. With its focus on local shoreside workers and their jobs - from fish cutter to purveyor, from welder to auctioneer, from lumper to inspector, as well as fishermen – this photographic essay illustrates how each person, each job, is vital to the daily operation of the local fishing industry.

"Our city is a maritime center and has been one since the days of whaling," said Michael Lapides, Curator of Photography and Digital Initiatives in the Whaling Museum. "With that in mind, it is not hard to imagine in the faces of those portrayed in this exhibit a strong connection to the past." Noting that the photographs benefit from Mr. Mello's closeness to the waterfront, where he has worked for over 34 years, currently as plant manager at Bergie's Seafood, Mr. Lapides added, "He knows these people and this place well. We are fortunate to have had these doors opened." Mr. Mello also serves as current president of the New Bedford Port Society.

The exhibit exists in two separate locations: in the San Francisco Room on the third level of the Whaling Museum, in the adjacent Special Exhibit Gallery and in the Research Library Window Gallery on Purchase Street.

Primarily using a Mamiya RZ 67 camera with Kodak BW400cn Professional film, Mr. Mello began this photographic project early in 2008 and continues with it today. Reproductions of Mr. Mello's photographs are available through the Whaling Museum's photography department by contacting HYPERLINK "mailto:photoresearch@whalingmuseum.org" photoresearch@whalingmuseum.org. Proceeds from their sale will be split evenly between the Whaling Museum and the New Bedford Port Society.

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is the world's most comprehensive museum devoted to the global story of whales and whaling. The cornerstone of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, the Museum is located in the heart of the city's historic downtown at 18 Johnny Cake Hill and open daily. Become part of the Whaling Museum online community at flickr.com, facebook.com, and blog at http://flukesandfins.wordpress.com. For a complete calendar of events, visit the Museum online at www.whalingmuseum.org.