ALEXANDRIA, LA.- Alexandria welcomes fine art photographer M. Delos Reyes to the local art scene. Her solo show, “Because of the Light…New Orleans”, will be held in conjunction with the Alexandria Art Walk. Represented by River Oaks Square Arts Center, Reyes presents 40 new images in this illuminating exhibition. The event is free and open to the public. Delos Reyes, a New Orleans native, explores images of her beloved hometown before and after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina.

“The storm hit and everything was changed,” says Reyes. “Shooting post Katrina was like therapy, something I could do and have control over.”

An interesting twist to this set of photographs is their miniature size. Delos Reyes creates the work on such a scale that the audience must step right up to the image to view the piece. “I didn’t want to overwhelm the viewer I wanted the images to be more intimate,” explains Delos Reyes, “so I printed them smaller.” Her sensitivity is evident in these photos without being overly sentimental. She shows a real respect and quiet admiration for the survivors and the city itself. Delos Reyes is able to portray New Orleans as an almost breathing entity. These images allow you to sense the heartbeat of the city, in turns robust and fragile, but always resilient.

Delos Reyes shares 40 sepia toned silver gelatin prints. Known for her ability to capture subtle nuances in light and shadow, Delos Reyes is particularly curious and fascinated by how light falls, where it illuminates and where it separates from shadow and its inherent texture. The work is clearly printed, but retains a romantic, almost vintage feel. Delos Reyes studied at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, focusing on Zone Techniques and other alternative processes.

Having traveled extensively her portfolio includes images from India, Cuba, Italy, France, Spain and the US. Delos Reyes has an impressive exhibition background with galleries ranging from June Bateman in New York City to the ARTview at the City Museum of Washington D.C. and galleries in New Orleans, Austin and a Citi Group/ Citibank national ad campaign. Most recently her work was seen in the widely celebrated "Katrina Exposed" exhibit at the New Orleans Museum of Art. More of her work can be seen at her website, www.mdelosreyes.com.

The exhibition is hosted by the elegant River Oaks Square Arts Center. The structure consists of over 30 individual studios, 2 galleries, and a gift shop. Two facilities coexist on the site-the Studio Annex Building and the marvelous Bolton Home, which is a fine example of Queen Anne Revival architecture. The home is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Although it will take years to repair the damage to New Orleans, we can all remember and respect the spirit of the city and its residents. Delos Reyes hopes, “By viewing the images and considering them as to remember what happened, you can in some small way send positive energy and just by thinking about us we won’t be forgotten. There is a sadness in the city, but each small step lifts us in a way that helps us to heal.” Come experience this luminous and restorative show.