The Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts opens Michael Nissman’s photography exhibit “All Ah We: A U.S. Virgin Islands Community Portrait Project” on Friday, July 29. Presented in the CMCArts upper gallery, a public reception will be held from 5-8 p.m. This portrait series includes 40 black and white portraits that answer the question, “Who is a Virgin Islander?” The exhibit is funded in part by the Virgin Islands Council on the Arts.
The unique diversity of the U.S. Virgin Islands is the driving force for Nissman to produce a one-of-a-kind portrait collection of the people of this historical territory. From the most well-known to the least, this photo collection of portraits seeks to find a cross-section of Virgin Islanders, including people of all walks of life, backgrounds, skill sets, ages, origin and history. Is it someone born here? Is it someone who has chosen to live here? Is it a people bound by common language, culture and ideals? 
"This is a very personal story for me," Nissman said recently. "As someone with a mixed background, I’ve often wondered about this question of identity and how we identify with our background, birthplace, culture, ideas.” He set out on St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix to find images to go with the concept of a Virgin Islander. A short description in each subject’s words of what in his or her view constitutes that a Virgin Islander will accompany each portrait.
Award-winning photojournalist Michael Nissman was born in Oregon but moved to St. Croix as a small child. He started his journalism career at age 16 while working for The St. Croix Avis. Since then he has been a contract photographer for numerous publications, including Sports Illustrated. He is the recipient of more than 20 state, regional and national awards. His work has appeared in exhibits in the U.S. and the Caribbean including photographs he produced in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In 2010, Nissman co-founded Aqua Media, a multimedia company located on St. Croix. His documentary credits include producer/creator of “Hurricane Hugo: The Longest Night” and “V.I. Playmakers,” a new sports show, profiling Virgin Islands athletes.
Award-winning photojournalist Michael Nissman was born in Oregon but moved to St. Croix as a small child. He started his journalism career at age 16 while working for The St. Croix Avis. Since then he has been a contract photographer for numerous publications, including Sports Illustrated. He is the recipient of more than 20 state, regional and national awards. His work has appeared in exhibits in the U.S. and the Caribbean including photographs he produced in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In 2010, Nissman co-founded Aqua Media, a multimedia company located on St. Croix. His documentary credits include producer/creator of “Hurricane Hugo: The Longest Night” and “V.I. Playmakers,” a new sports show, profiling Virgin Islands athletes.
The opening reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 29. Admission is free. There will be light refreshments and a cash bar. The exhibit will be open on Thursdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout August. Admission to the museum is by goodwill donation. For further information, call the museum during business hours at 772-2622.
