Photography

The move from spectator to participant is a quantum leap. Yet each Mardi Gras in New Orleans, thousands of people make that leap, abandoning inhibition and reveling in the ever-growing creative phenomenon of marching krewes.

To celebrate this untold story, I Wanna Do That! Celebrating the Magic of Mardi Gras Marching Krewes, bursts with over 200 full color photographs that document this important New Orleans-centered cultural movement. As local arts critic Doug McCash says, "At this juncture, marching krewes are one of the best art stories in the city."

Ok...so, what is a marching krewe?

Simply put, a marching krewe is a group of like-minded people who get together for the purpose of marching in parades that take place during the Carnival (Mardi Gras) season.

These krewes come in all shapes, sizes, and variations, yet they all share the attributes of creativity, artistry, quirkiness, humor, inclusiveness, and accessibility. Krewes are composed of people who practice dance moves, sew costumes, and create “throws” to hand out to a covetous public. People for whom participation is a badge of civic identity. People who at one point stood on the curb and said “I wanna do THAT!!”

Realizing that the marching krewe field has expanded exponentially, our team knew it was a story that must be told. Two incredibly talented local photographers worked tirelessly to document the creative energy of the 2020 Mardi Gras season for this book, to tell and share the unique story of the 300+ marching krewes in New Orleans. I Wanna Do That! is perfect gift for anyone who loves New Orleans.

Early rabbis referred to a cemetery as a house of the living. Beloved promises to show you why.

Since its creation 173 years ago by one of Memphis, Tennessee’s earliest Jewish settlers, the Temple Israel Cemetery has become a permanent place of beauty. It serves as an everlasting tribute to the history of the Memphis Jewish community, and it stands as a testament to the love of memory no matter where you live or where your loved ones rest.

Through the keen and artistic eye of photographer Murray Riss, the Temple Israel Museum was able to create an unforgettable photography exhibit entitled Beloved, which is also the word most often used on the cemetery’s gravesites. Murray Riss spent countless hours photographing Temple Israel’s sixteen-acre cemetery for more than a year and through all four seasons. Through these exquisite photographs, now everyone can experience the solemnity and beauty of this sacred ground.