Anthracite Workers Today: A Lifetime Calling

For generations, photographers have been drawn to the unique social and visual landscape of northeast Pennsylvania. Australian native Dane Rhys will illustrate his recent journeys into the modern anthracite coal industry. Going into underground mines that almost appear unchanged from a century ago to open pit mines with machines larger than most buildings, Dane has set out to tell the story of older workers in coal mines and many other industries. His captivating presentation will literally put faces to the modern anthracite industry to help define its past, present, and future.  Joining Dane will be members of the Independent Miners Association to give patrons a view into the modern coal mining industry from those who still toil underground.

This event coincides with Anthracite Mining Heritage Month, an annual observance that begin in 1999 with the 40^th anniversary of one of the northeast region’s largest infamous mining disasters at the Knox Mine in Pennsylvania.  Starting with a program at the Anthracite Heritage Museum in Scranton, the annual event now encompasses the entire month with programming and exhibits that span the region.  Find the entire slate of Anthracite Mining Heritage Month programs at https://ahfdn.org/mining-history-month-schedule-of-events-january-2020/.

About the  artist
Dane Rhys is a New York-based photographer and producer originally from Fremantle, Western Australia. He documents the people and workspaces of heavy industry in America with a focus on the aging workforce, de-industrialization of America and the rapidly changing energy sector.

While completing his studies in Human Resources, Business Management he started his mining career, working as a process technician at a metallurgical processing plant in Western Australia, building, operating and maintaining pilot plants for various mines.  He subsequently worked on the commissioning, operation, and closure of large-scale mining projects in Canada, Australia, and the United States.

In 2013, he became the HR Manager for the largest new gold mine in Canada and for the next 4 ½ years he lived and worked at two remote mines in British Columbia with regular travel to NYC to develop his photographic practice. Since 2017, he has worked at the International Center of Photography (ICP) as the Teen Academy Summertime Program Coordinator, Alumni Engagement Intern, Image Archive Assistant and Lead Curator for the 2018 Alumni Exhibit. In 2018 he graduated, from the Creative Practice program at ICP and in 2019 he graduated from the Visual Journalism and Documentary program.

Admission to this presentation is free with regular museum admission.

For more information on his broader project, please visit: https://www.danerhys.com/industrialage