Exposure: Photos from the Vault opens April 30, 2010, in the newly remodeled Anthony and Delisa Mayer Photography Gallery on the 7th floor of the North Building at the Denver Art Museum (DAM). The renovated space will host the first exhibition of the Department of Photography at the DAM, featuring a diverse selection from the 7000-object collection, including works by Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Chuck Close, Alfred Stieglitz, and Garry Winogrand as well as recent acquisitions of work by Henry Bosse, Petah Coyne, and Shirin Neshat.

Diane Arbus, Identical Twins, 1966

Gelatin silver print photograph. Denver Art Museum; General Service Foundation Purchase fund.

The museum began collecting photography in 1937, adding pieces to many curatorial departments over the years, including the ’94 acquisition of the Daniel Wolf collection of 19th and early 20th century American landscapes and frequent donations of contemporary work through the ’80s and ’90s. In 2009, the DAM formed a stand-alone Department of Photography and brought on veteran curator Eric Paddock to lead the charge in creating exhibitions and collection experiences with the museum’s strong collection of historic and contemporary photography.

David Levinthal, Untitled (Standing Scout with Rifle), 2002

Polaroid Polacolor ER. Denver Art Museum; gift in memory of Ryan Taylor.

“I had a lot of fun digging to the depths of this exquisite collection to create the debut display,” curator Eric Paddock said. “We’re presenting a wide range of photos, from portraits and landscapes to abstraction and Surrealism that photo enthusiasts and museum visitors will enjoy. This first installation is a way to say hello to the community and start a conversation about photography.”

Chuck Close, Self-Portrait, 1987

Museum; funds from 1992 Alliance