• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover the Best Things to Do in Austin, Food & Drink deals and more!

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Kids Events in Austin this Weekend
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Austin Art Exhibit Displays Hope in Homelessness

May 23, 2012 by Brittany Highland 2 Comments

Visitors to Gallery at the J examine Daniel Read's exhibitThe invention of the camera gave us the ability to capture the world around us in fleeting moments of time. Then, few people could afford to own a camera and film was limited. What remains of that era are family portraits, and images of important events and political figures.

Today, cameras are widely accessible and digital features allow us to create and discard photographs with barely a thought. We take pictures of our cocktails at parties, our dogs when they fall asleep on our chest, a dandelion on the side of the road.

From one perspective, these types of photos are excessive or pointless. From another perspective, we appreciate the ability to capture the small details of life that impact us the most. In a similar way, local Austin photographer Daniel Read chose to photograph an atypical subject that mattered to him. This subject was Michael Watts, a Virginia-born cancer victim who lived homeless on the streets of Austin and passed away in a nursing home in 2009.

If you’re like me, you’ve passed by a homeless individual without a word, making no positive impact at all. But when Daniel first met Michael through Front Steps – an Austin organization that provides shelter, affordable housing and education to the homeless – he chose to care and to do something with his camera that made a difference.

Austin photographer Daniel Read with his Documenting Dignity exhibit

Austin photographer Daniel Read

The result of three months of photography and years of development is Documenting Dignity, an art exhibit about Michael Watts’ last days, on display at The Gallery at the J through June 21st.

Merely looking in from the outside, Michael’s life was fraught with hardship, and a photographer could’ve framed his series from that angle alone. However, Daniel wasn’t on the outside looking in. He was Michael’s friend, and had the unique privilege of knowing him in a deeper and more nuanced way. Don’t get me wrong: Documenting Dignity captures Michael Watts’ pain and loneliness. But it also captures Michael’s dignity and hope.

Documenting Dignity, an exhibit about the last days of Michael Watts

And, in the end, we’re all more nuanced than outsiders think. We’re two sides of a coin, embodied. I encourage you to visit The Gallery at the J to experience Daniel Read’s bold and compassionate exhibit, and to think about the things and people you pass by every day. Maybe you have some dignity to document yourself.

The Gallery at the J is located at the Dell Jewish Community Campus and is open seven days a week for viewing. Hours are M-F, 8 AM-8 PM; Saturday 12:30-6 PM; and Sunday 8 AM-5 PM. The Gallery at the J is home to an active exhibitional program and hosts a total of five shows a year, with a focus on local Austin artists.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Brittany Highland
Brittany Highland
My Google Profile+
Brittany Highland
Latest posts by Brittany Highland (see all)
  • Best Tacos in Austin: Austinot Blogger Edition - October 4, 2021
  • Breaking News From Austin’s Local Restaurants - May 18, 2020
  • Living in Austin During COVID-19: Ways to Help, Things to Do - April 21, 2020

Filed Under: Arts, Culture

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Comments

  1. Danielaustinread says

    May 23, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    Here is an online version of the story.

    http://www.danielaustinread.com/story/

    Log in to Reply
    • Brittany Highland says

      May 24, 2012 at 10:34 am

      Thanks for the link, Daniel! 

      Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Popular Right Now

Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of June 27, 2025

Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of June 27 Include Sazon Latin Food Festival, Art In ATX: Pride Market, and More!

Top Kids Events in Austin June 27-29, 2025

Top Kids Events in Austin June 27 – June 29 include Pride Picnic, Dinosaur Day, and More!

Best Events in Austin in July 2025

Celebrate Summer Right: Best July Events in Austin 2025

4th of July Events Austin

4th of July Events in Austin Area 2025 | Fireworks, Parades & Family Fun

Austin Pride Events

Upcoming Pride Month Events in Austin: Final Celebrations for June 2025

Recent Posts

  • Best Fun Events in Austin this Weekend of June 27 Include Sazon Latin Food Festival, Art In ATX: Pride Market, and More!
  • Top Kids Events in Austin June 27 – June 29 include Pride Picnic, Dinosaur Day, and More!
  • Celebrate Summer Right: Best July Events in Austin 2025
  • 4th of July Events in Austin Area 2025 | Fireworks, Parades & Family Fun
  • Upcoming Pride Month Events in Austin: Final Celebrations for June 2025

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in