John Wesley Powell River History MuseumJohn Wesley Powell River History Museum
Glen Canyon Exposed: Now and Then is a landmark photographic and film exhibit by celebrated artists Dawn Kish and Tad Nichols. This unique showcase presents two perspectives of Glen Canyon: Nichols’ iconic 1950s images, captured before the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, and Kish’s contemporary photographs and documentary film, chronicling the canyon’s stunning reemergence as water levels recede.
The exhibit blends art and advocacy, bringing together the work of two artists separated by decades but united by their shared love for Glen Canyon. Visitors will journey through time, witnessing the power of photography and film to preserve, protect, and inspire action for this iconic landscape.
Tad Nichols, often referred to as “the Ansel Adams of Glen Canyon,” dedicated his life to documenting the beauty of the canyon before it was lost to Lake Powell’s rising waters. Alongside conservationists like Katie Lee and Frank Wright, Nichols embarked on expedition after expedition, capturing images that would become his landmark book, Images of a Lost World. His photographs not only immortalized the Glen’s breathtaking landscapes but also served as a call to action for future generations.
In 2021, Dawn Kish, a photographer, filmmaker, and seasoned river guide, was entrusted with Nichols’ original 4×5 large-format film camera by Flagstaff-based printmaker Richard Jackson. Inspired by Nichols’ work, Kish set out to tell Glen Canyon’s next chapter.
As Lake Powell’s water levels receded, exposing forgotten canyons, Kish used Nichols’ camera and book as both tools and inspiration. Inspired by his images, she photographed areas long thought lost and created the award-winning documentary Tad’s Emerging World: Glen Canyon Exposed, which has been screened across the West and internationally since its 2022 premiere.
To make Glen Canyon Exposed: Now and Then a reality, we need your support. This exhibit will run from spring 2025 to spring 2026, reaching thousands of visitors and preserving the story of Glen Canyon for generations to come.
Your donations will support the printing, framing, and installation of photographs and films, allowing us to present this one-of-a-kind collaboration. While Dawn Kish is donating her photos for the exhibit and Richard Jackson is donating supplies to print the artwork, we need your help to cover the remaining costs and ensure this important story is shared.
Donate $50: Receive an invite to an exclusive pre-opening event at the museum.
Donate $191 (the number of vertical feet exposed at the reservoir’s low point): Receive a pre-opening invite AND a limited-edition exhibit poster.
Donate $500 or more: Receive a pre-opening invite, a limited-edition exhibit poster, AND a signed 16″x 20″ photographic print by Dawn Kish made by master print maker Richard Jackson.
All donations will go directly to the John Wesley Powell River History Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and are tax-deductible.
Donate Online
Visit our Mightycause fundraising page HERE to donate securely online.
Donate by Mail
If you prefer to donate by check, please make it out to the John Wesley Powell River History Museum, Inc. Write “Glen Canyon Exposed” in the memo line and mail to:
John Wesley Powell River History Museum
PO Box 387, Green River, UT 84525
Thank you for helping us share the powerful story of Glen Canyon’s past and present through this extraordinary exhibit.
Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am – 5:00pm
Seasonal Winter Closure: December 22, 2024 – January 20, 2025
Adults
Seniors (60+)
Children (5-12)
Family
$10
$6
$2
$15
Free admission for children under 5, museum members, and Green River residents.
1765 E Main Street
PO Box 387
Green River, UT 84525