Mark Golbach

"Greater State: Portrait of a Street," PhotoMidwest 2016 exhibit, 10/1-31, EVP Coffee-West. 608-236-9690.

The artist will be available to discuss his work from 8am to 10am on Saturdays during October.

artist's statement: "Two years ago I began an effort to make a personal photographic portrait of State Street here in Madison. During those twenty four months I have made nearly 200 trips downtown and taken over 20,000 pictures of the area from the City/County Building to Memorial Union.

"The pictures you see here at EVP are of individuals that I have gotten to know during that time. Some of them have spent time living on the street. At least a couple have been incarcerated during the time I’ve known them. More than a few have been hospitalized. Drug and alcohol use is common, but not universal among them. Some of them work and others are unable to. The one thing that they all have in common is that they are living near the bottom rung of the economic ladder.

"Two years ago I would have categorized them as “panhandlers” or “the homeless.” When I worked for the University Police Department I referred to them as “NPAs”, no permanent address. However, having taken the time to get to know them, to sit with them on a bench or on the concrete and listen to them talk about the world, their lives, their families and their concerns I’ve come to see them each as a unique individual.

"Like anyone we meet I’ve found these new acquaintances to be funny, admirable, annoying, smart, frustrating, surprising and lovable. I hope that seeing these photographs will inspire you to really look at the next person that asks you for a handout and, at least, acknowledge them.”