A Shared Vision: The Fred and Laura Ruth Bidwell Photography Collection

Akron residents Laura Ruth and Fred Bidwell's collection of contemporary photography by emerging and mid-career artists was chosen as among the top 100 private collections of 2006 by Art and Antiques magazine. A Shared Vision shows some 57 works from their stellar collection, ranging from landscapes to conceptual works, and from traditional silver gelatin prints to daguerreotypes and digital images. Works by Lois Conner, Lynn Davis, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, DoDo Jin Ming, Richard Misrach, Hiroshi Sugimoto and many more represent the breadth of their collection. Mr. Bidwell is a past president of the museum's Board of Trustees and was the Co-Chair of the capital campaign for the new building. Mrs. Bidwell is a museum Trustee and Chair of the Accessions Committee. Supporters of the museum since 1993, the Bidwells are actively involved with its future and have endowed a photography gallery in the new building. This exhibition is organized by the Akron Art Museum and made possible by a generous gift from Bain and Inky Malone.