Ralls Collection & National Geographic Partner for "Cultures on the Edge" Exhibit
Five Geographic Photographers to Show Pictures From Around the Globe

Washington, DC (June 1, 2003)-From June 14th through August 30th, the Ralls Collection will be exhibiting the work of five of the National Geographic Society's leading photographers, Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher, Phil Borges, Wade Davis, and Chris Rainier. In conjunction with the show, a lecture by the photographers will be held on Tuesday, June 17th as a benefit for the Society's Caravan initiative. The mission of the recently founded initiative "Caravan: An Exploration & Celebration of Cultures" is to ensure the continuation and vitality of the 'ethnosphere' -the sum total of the earth's cultural, spiritual, and lingual heritage. In addition, 10% of the proceeds of all sales from the show will be donated to the Geographic.

Each of the five photographers will have five to six images from their explorations on display. Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher, known for their detailed, vibrant documentation of African rituals will be exhibiting work from Nigeria, Kenya, Namibia, Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Phil Borges, who collaborated with the Dalai Lama on the book Tibetan Portraits, will be showing his intimate portraits of members of indigenous cultures. Photographs from National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence Wade Davis's latest book Light at the Edge of the World, will be on display, as well as those of photographer Chris Rainier, who along with Davis heads the Caravan program. Each of the participants has published numerous books, including African Ceremonies by Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher, Phil Borges Tibetan Portrait and Enduring Spirit, Chris Rainier's Where Masks Still Dance, and Wade Davis's bestseller The Serpent and the Rainbow.

The Ralls Collection was established in 1988 as a private art dealership, and expanded in 1991 with the opening of a gallery bearing the same name. The gallery specializes in contemporary painting, photography, prints, and sculpture. Artists represented include John Alexander, Lynn Bianchi, Mark Dassoulas, William Dunlap, Caio Fonseca, Adam Fuss, Stephen Hannock, Annie Leibovitz, Edward Mapplethorpe, and Eliot Porter. Located at 1516 31st, NW in Georgetown, The Ralls Collection is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 11am to 4pm and by appointment.
Attention Editors: To receive more information, please call (202) 342-1754. There will be a reception for the artists on June 13th, from 6-8pm at the gallery. Visuals available upon request.