Ansel Adams exhibit slated for Peoria Riverfront Museum

A unique collection of photos and other artwork by Ansel Adams will be exhibited at the Peoria Riverfront Museum for six months, beginning April 13, the library announced on Friday.

Ansel Adams: Western Exposure will include more than 140 photos by Adams, considered one of the most renowned photographers of the 20th century. Many of the photos in the exhibit have never been shown publicly.

Also included in the exhibit will be drawings, camera equipment and other personal items belonging to Adams.

The items will be displayed at the Peoria Riverfront Museum until Oct. 20, 2013.

"The exhibition is curated by Adams' daughter-in-law, Jeanne Adams. Jeanne and her husband, Michael Adams, son of the photographer, have lived in Adams' Carmel Heights, Calif. studio for more than 20 years. Together, Jeanne and Michael have meticulously gone through the Adams' photos and archives to create this unique exhibition," according to a news release from the Riverfront Museum.

This is the second time an exhibit of Ansel Adams work has been displayed in Peoria. In 2006 a collection of his work that is owned by his daughter Anne Adams Helms was exhibited at Lakeview Museum. Museum officials said that exhibit was heavily attended and drew visitors from throughout the region.

Ansel Adams: Western Exposure will be exhibited in the International Feature Gallery of the Peoria Riverfront Museum. It will replace the CIAO and Friends Invitational Exhibit, featuring the work of many local artists, that has been in place since the Riverfront Museum opened last October.

The last day of the CIAO and Friends exhibit will be Sunday, March 3.

Ansel Adams was best known for his black-and-white photos of western landscapes, particularly that found in Yosemite National Park. He first visited the park as a teen and returned many times throughout his life to photograph his favorite subject, nature.

Adams helped developed many photographic techniques in using exposure and contrast that are still in use today.

Adams died in April 1984 at the age of 82.

From the 1980 documentary "Ansel Adams:Masters Photographers":

An interview with Michael Adams in Yosemite Park: