Support a new Glen Canyon exhibit by Dawn Kish

Glen Canyon Exposed: Now and Then

A Photographic and Film Exhibition

 by Dawn Kish and Tad Nichols

Be a Part of History, 

Help bring a New Exhibit to Life

Glen Canyon Exposed: Now and Then is a landmark photographic and film exhibit by celebrated artists Dawn Kish and Tad Nichols. This unique showcase presents two perspectives of Glen Canyon: Nichols’ iconic 1950s images, captured before the construction of Glen Canyon Dam, and Kish’s contemporary photographs and documentary film, chronicling the canyon’s stunning reemergence as water levels recede.

The exhibit blends art and advocacy, bringing together the work of two artists separated by decades but united by their shared love for Glen Canyon. Visitors will journey through time, witnessing the power of photography and film to preserve, protect, and inspire action for this iconic landscape.

The Legacy of Tad Nichols

Tad Nichols, often referred to as “the Ansel Adams of Glen Canyon,” dedicated his life to documenting the beauty of the canyon before it was lost to Lake Powell’s rising waters. Alongside conservationists like Katie Lee and Frank Wright, Nichols embarked on expedition after expedition, capturing images that would become his landmark book, Images of a Lost World. His photographs not only immortalized the Glen’s breathtaking landscapes but also served as a call to action for future generations.

Dawn Kish: A New Chapter in Glen Canyon’s Story

In 2021, Dawn Kish, a photographer, filmmaker, and seasoned river guide, was entrusted with Nichols’ original 4x5 large-format film camera by Flagstaff-based printmaker Richard Jackson. Inspired by Nichols’ work, Kish set out to tell Glen Canyon’s next chapter.

As Lake Powell’s water levels receded, exposing forgotten canyons, Kish used Nichols’ camera and book as both tools and inspiration. Inspired by his images, she photographed areas long thought lost for Arizona Highways Magazine and other publications. Plus, created the award-winning documentary Tad’s Emerging World: Glen Canyon Exposed which screened across the West and internationally since its premiere at The Banff Film and Book Festival in 2022.

Help Us Bring This Exhibit to Life

To make Glen Canyon Exposed: Now and Then a reality, we need your support. This exhibit will run from spring 2025 to spring 2026, reaching thousands of visitors and preserving the story of Glen Canyon for generations to come.

Your donations will support the printing, framing, and installation of photographs and films, allowing us to present this one-of-a-kind collaboration. While Dawn Kish is donating her photos for the exhibit and Richard Jackson is donating supplies to print the artwork, we need your help to cover the remaining costs and ensure this important story is shared.

Your Support Makes a Difference

All donors will receive an invitation to the exhibit opening tentatively scheduled for April 26, 2025.  Consider donating at the levels below to receive a celebratory gift from Dawn Kish.

$191 special donation* marking the number of vertical feet exposed at the reservoir's lowest point. Receive a celebratory gift of a limited edition exhibit poster (below) and donor level recognition. 

$500 or more Friend of the Exhibit donation** supporting this unique artistic vision of Glen Canyon, receive a celebratory gift of a signed 16"x 20" photographic print by Dawn Kish made by master print maker Richard Jackson. There are four options (below) to choose from below. 

All donations amounts welcome!

Donations to the John Wesley Powell River History Museum, Inc. to support the Glen Canyon Exposed exhibit are tax deductible.  501(c)3 organization, EIN 74-2666965

If you would prefer to mail a check, make it out to John Wesley Powell River History Museum, Inc. and write Glen Canyon Exposed in the memo line.  Mail to Janet Smoak, Director, JWPRHM, PO Box 387, Green River, UT 84525

*Special level donor recognition includes acknowledgement in Museum newsletter and exhibition donor label.

**Friend level donor recognition includes acknowledgements listed above plus inclusion in printed exhibit promotion materials.

Thank you for helping us share the powerful story of Glen Canyon’s past and present through this extraordinary exhibit.