Library Photo Exhibit Features Fox River Valley

Photographer Paul Burd's work has taken him across Europe and the United States, but he's sharing images much more close to home in a display at the Yorkville Public Library.

Burd, Yorkville resident and husband of mayor Valerie Burd, has been taking photographs professionally since 1971, capturing images for the Chicago Tribune, The Beacon, and other publications.

For the month of March, Burd is the featured artist at the . The library chooses a new local artist every 6 weeks to display their work on the art display wall on the second floor. This program was established at the grand reopening of the library back in February 2007.   

Burd’s subject of choice is one that all Yorkvillians can identify with: the Fox River valley.

“One of the principles of art of any kind is that you work with what’s closest to you,” Burd said. “These photos are special to me mostly because I live on the river. It is very near and dear to my heart.”

The photographs, which were taken over the course of a year, are taken in nearly all the same location, but look drastically different. Burd said that lighting, and the time of day in which he took them has a lot to do with the polarity of each photo. 

“I’m used to working with film; we didn’t have Photoshop and digital cameras like we do now,” Burd said. “Over the years, I learned that regardless of the equipment you have, 95% of a great photograph is the eye behind it, and the lighting behind it.”

Also a part of his photographic story are two photos that are not of the Fox River valley, but are pictures that Burd says fit in with the theme quite well. One is of a silhouette of a bicycle, shot in Texas, and the second, called, “Mom and Dad,” is one that holds more meaning and prestige for Burd. 

“Mom and Dad” is a photo taken of his own parents back in 1973 at their family farm in Ohio.  It was originally a part of a photo story that Burd submitted to the Interservice Photography Contest. The photo caught the eyes of nationally acclaimed photographers of National Geographic, and photography aficionados.  It won first place.

And it seems to be the favorite of many, including Sheryl Iwonski, who is the circulation manager and director of the art display program at the library. 

“The photo titled ‘Mom and Dad’ is amazing,” Iwonski said. “I just love it--but really all of his photos are ones that people can really identify with.”

Iwonski hopes that the art display wall will help the public take note of its many talented local artists, including Burd. 

“It really gives the artist a chance to exhibit their work to the public,” Iwonski said. "I would just like everyone to see the variety of local talent that we have, and I think we’ve accomplished it so far.”