OCTOBER BARN DOOR GALLERY 2026
Say Hello
Deb Lohmeyer
October 2 - October 30
Opening Reception on Arts Night Out
Say Hello is a photo and text exhibit of large black and white portraits of people that I
have met on the streets of Northampton. Some share their stories, but usually we just
have neighborly conversations. I always ask for permission to take a photo and if it’s
okay to use it on social media or in exhibits. After I print the photo, I try to find each
person to give them a copy. Over time, we develop a relationship which sometimes
leads to a deeper understanding of their lives. My goal is to break down stereotypes of
our neighbors, many of whom are houseless, and to encourage others to acknowledge
their presence by at least saying “hello.”
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Deb Lohmeyer (she/her), a self-taught photographer, has lived in the Pioneer Valley for 40 years. She began taking photos in 1979 with a Pentax K1000 in Southwest Missouri and renewed her passion using a new digital camera and taking classes at Hill Institute in Florence, MA, and The Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, MA. Since 2024 she has focused on taking black and white portraits of people she meets on the streets of Northampton. In 2026, she published This World, a book of her photos along with poems by Gail Thomas. Proceeds from the sale of this book have been donated to the Center for New Americans, Manna Community Kitchen, and the Survival Center in Northampton.
IG@deb.lohmeyer
