If you go
What: “Havana Dreams” photo exhibitWhere: Mountain City ClubWhen: Feb. 24 through JuneAdmission: Free, but call the club at 423-756-5584 to schedule your visit.
With travel to Cuba from the U.S. getting easier than it's been in 50 years, the country is seeing renewed interest from Americans and is poised to be the "it" destination of 2017. Former Chattanoogan Steve Dinberg, a professional photographer who left the Scenic City for Atlanta shortly after college, recently embarked on his fourth journey to the island nation over the past three years.
Dinberg is best known for his work as golf legend Payne Stewart's photographer. His images of Cuban people and culture offer an evocative introduction to the charming country. Locals can be the first to see this exhibition, entitled "Havana Dreams," when it debuts at the Mountain City Club through a partnership with JUMPST/ART, a local company that helps area businesses incorporate art into their environments.
Opening day, Feb. 24, features a reception and opportunity to meet the photographer from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
"It's always been on my bucket list, and I definitely wanted to go before it changed," Dinberg says of what drew him to Cuba.
His photos capture beautifully the country's current state, hovering somewhere between the past and the present, says JUMPST/ART owner Gail Rich, who wanted to bring Dinberg's work to Chattanooga to give locals the opportunity to immerse themselves in Cuban culture and learn about it from someone who's experienced it firsthand.
Dinberg's photos depict scenes of life from the streets of Havana and Santiago as well as portraits of people, and each of the 35 photos in the exhibit is for sale. "People will see the overall warmth the Cuban people have, their zest for life despite tremendous hardship," says Dinberg, who hopes the exhibit will encourage people to see the country for themselves.
While visiting solely for tourism purposes continues to be off-limits, U.S. citizens may travel to Cuba for specific cultural, professional, religious and journalistic purposes. People-to-people educational experiences - marked by a full itinerary of educational exchange activities - also offer an opportunity that stretches beyond travel, and can be done either individually or as part of a tour.
Dinberg says he's seen the country change with each trip, but it's still far from having the infrastructure necessary to support a huge influx of tourists. His favorite spot to visit is the historic town of Trinidad, located about a four-hour drive through the countryside from Havana. "They say Havana is like a step back in time, but Trinidad is a step further. It's not just about going back in time; there's something about the light. Once you've been there, it's such a magical place that it keeps drawing you back," he says.
The show is being presented in memory of the late Jimmy DiVitale, a commercial advertising photographer and Dinberg's friend and former assistant. DiVitale, who had always dreamed of going to Cuba, passed away in December, and a portion of the proceeds from sales from the exhibit will be donated to Weinstein Hospice in Atlanta.
The exhibit runs through June and may be viewed Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. by placing a courtesy call to Mountain City Club at 423-756-5584, or by appointment by calling Gail Rich at 423-710-5745.