When the St. Louis school district decided to sell a host of abandoned school buildings a few years ago, it had no idea that it would inspire an entire group of photographers. Curious people with cameras filled the open houses held by the district — to the point that their work has now become an art show.
“Empty Halls, Silent Classrooms” gathers the work of numerous St. Louis-area photographers who met at the open houses or later found each other through networking. Organized by Jane Linders, herself a photographer, the free gallery show will open at the ReFind Room (2525 South Brentwood Boulevard, Brentwood) on August 11. To get a sneak peek at some of the breathtaking images, check out our gallery. To read more about Linders’ curation and the district’s efforts, see Sabrina Medler’s story.
Title: My Old School
School: Cleveland High
Photographer: Jane Linders
1 of 11
Title: Boilermaker
School: Gundlach
Photographer: V. Elly Smith
2 of 11
Title: Marble Staircase
School: Scullin School
Photographer: Ann Chartrand
3 of 11
Title: Nurse’s Station
School: Mark Twain School
Photographer: Ann Chartrand
4 of 11
Title: The Boardroom
Photographer: V. Elly Smith
School: Simmons School
5 of 11
Title: No Loitering
School: Walnut Park
Photographer: Jackie Johnson
6 of 11
Title: Broken Windows, Broken Dreams
School: Baden
Photographer: Dave Adams
7 of 11
Title: High School Boredom
School: Scullin
photographer: Jane Linders
8 of 11
Title: Patine
School: Eliot
Photographer: Dave Adams
9 of 11
Title: Turner
School: Turner
Photographer: Ann Aurbach
10 of 11
Title: Cleveland Hall
School: Cleveland High
Photographer: Ann Aurbach
11 of 11
