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Ten fine-art photographic portraits from The Bahamian Collection<\/a> are currently on display at The Haynes Library in Eleuthera.<\/p>\n The Bahamian Collection is the first year’s culmination<\/a>\u00a0of the Bahamian Project – a three-year photography initiative, launched in 2012 by Duke and Lisa Wells in collaboration with The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) and Popopstudios.<\/p>\n The Project seeks to capture the spirit of the people of The Bahamas. The body of photographs produced in the first year – “The Bahamian Collection” – comprises over 50 classic black-&-white portraits of Bahamians and made a spectacular debut<\/a> at the NAGB as part of the Bahamas 40th\u00a0Independence anniversary celebrations. It is hoped that it will ultimately be adopted as a national series of portraits to be cherished and added to over the years.<\/p>\n Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera is the first place to which the Bahamian Collection has travelled, and the historic Haynes Library serves as a beautiful venue. The exhibition will be on display until mid-January.<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bahamian Collection is a celebration of the good in our society. This Collection has put faces to the spirit that makes us Bahamian \u2013 these are but a few of the many Bahamians that reflect that spirit,\u201d said Lisa Wells.<\/p>\n “The project aims to address the long-standing issue of identity and national pride. Our goal is to focus on positive role models. This includes the well-known individuals who have made great accomplishments, but also – and very importantly – the common man, the good, hard-working Bahamians living their lives with moral character.”<\/p>\n Progressing into the second year, the Bahamian Project has opened up to other local photographers<\/a> so as to increase the number of portraits that will be taken and to broaden the reach into the Family Islands.<\/p>\n As a part of its continued community outreach, The Bahamian Project plans to increase its photography workshops<\/a> throughout New Providence and the Family Islands, allowing eager young photographers to learn the basics of the craft.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/haynes-leah-s.jpg\" "\\"haynes-leah-s\\"")
Now, as the Project continues into its second year it is planned that, even as more portraits are being photographed, the initial collection will travel – not only to other Bahamian islands, but also to other parts of the world, showing the real faces of those whose lives best portray what it means to be “Bahamian”.<\/p>\n