Reynolds High Students Have Their Day at Reynolda House Museum of American Art

On Saturday, fashion photographs taken by honors photography students at Reynolds High School were displayed at Reynolda House Museum of American Art.

Inspired by an exhibit of fashion photography by Edward Steichen at Reynolda House, students in Phil Benenati’s class staged and took their own fashion photos in a vintage style. Impressed by the results, the people at Reynolda House invited the Reynolds students to show some of their photographs at the museum’s Community Day on April 27.

Students had a wonderful day, Benenati said. They met early so that the student models featured in the portraits could prepare for the day by doing each other’s hair and makeup.

“When we arrived at Reynolda House,” Benenati said, “the students and I were speechless when we saw our work displayed in the hallway leading to Edward Steichen's ‘Star Power’ exhibit, prominently displayed on easels with halogen spots illuminating the portraits.

“It seemed like the flow of visitor traffic never ended during the three-hour event. Student photographers and models fielded questions from the guests throughout the afternoon, and a few even asked them to pose for a quick snapshot in front of their work. What an honor this was for RJR students, not only to have their images inside Reynolda Museum, but also near Edward Steichen photographs.”

“Star Power: Edward Steichen’s Glamour Photography” includes more than 100 photos taken by Steichen from 1923 to 1937. According the museum website, “Star Power brings together Steichen's Condé Nast portraits of luminaries from the worlds of politics, literature, government, journalism, dance, theatre, music, fashion, and the opera.”

For more information about Reynolda House, go to Reynolda House