debra tomaszewski

ELLIS ISLAND

I photographed Ellis Island during the restoration of the Great Hall as it was transformed into a historical museum. Millions of immigrants passed through the island on the way to a better life.

Contracted by the National Park Service as one of the many photographers assigned to the awesome task of documenting the restoration; I was also allowed to photograph the south side of Ellis Island. During this time I shot the administration buildings, the quarantine wards, the hospital, and the superintendent's house, which now lay in ruins, too expensive to restore.

These images are a result of my ramblings through hundreds of rooms on 27 acres of the Island. What struck me most was that the beauty still remained, in spite of the neglect and decay. Ivy thrived as it crept through broken windows, light filtered in and illuminated the passing of time, memories and moments from long ago still embodied this old treasure.

You may view a partial portfolio of "Ellis Island Illuminated" in the FStop Magazine Exhibition "Open Theme". Select images from this body of work wasl also displayed in the exhibition, "Uncomfortable Landscapes" at the PrimoPiano LiviGallery, Lecce, Italy. Debra has also participated the prestigous Critical Mass Portfolio Review associated with Photolucida as well as Review Santa Fe, the only juried porfolio in the country. She also received 3rd place for her "Ellis Island Illuminated" portfolio in the prestigious International Photography Awards as well as honorable mention for her "Ellis Island Abandoned Dreams" Series. "Ellis Island Illuminated" are included in the The Lucies, Annual IPA Book No. 6, Images from "Ellis Island Abandoned Dreams" were selected for the year long international traveling exhibition that celebrated the opening of Ellis Island National Monument, N.Y.C.

FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY

ELLIS ISLAND