The 30 Strangers opening night was a smashing success and I’m so grateful to everyone that came, all the 30 Strangers, and everyone that contributed. One smart thing we did this year (and the reason you should kick yourself if you weren’t there that night) was to have five very fine writers read essays on motherhood at one point during the evening. Listening to those essays, we laughed we cried, we all left wanting to buy our moms a new car. Or at least send a thank-you note. Here’s who read:
Amy Hackworth (then later that night we made out)
Molly Jackson – her essay can be found here.
Brooke Benton
Stephanie Nielson
Carina Hoskisson – her essay can be found here.
You can read those essays, and you should, but I must say, you kind of had to be there. To hear them read their own words and be in the same room with all of them and to hear them all together……oh, my. I want to thank those five for helping to elevate a fun night, to something much more beautiful.
Funny side-note about the essay readers. Turns out, lots of people texted and emailed C. Jane to ask why she wasn’t invited to read an essay. Well, if you must know, she was invited to read. But she’s a busy girl and lots of people want a piece of her, and she had a previous engagement. Someone got to her before I did. That’s the story, there.
I have great friends and I love them. I love being a photographer and I love having photographer friends. I asked three of them to photograph what they saw on the night of the exhibit. Let me start with Brett Howell.
At the end of the night after everyone went home
Allen Hackworth and Kent Miles
Gallery goers
Listening to the essays
Me and beautiful Amy
Brett Howell
Justin Hackworth
Way to go, Brett. Bang-up job, there.
Here’s what Ashley Thalman saw.
Allen Hackworth - Kent Miles
Hey, look. There's a picture over there.
Martha, one of the 30 Strangers this year
I have two boys. Here's one of them. He loves essays on motherhood, too.
Amy Hackworth
Molly Jackson
Brooke Benton
Carina Hoskisson
Molly Jackson, Stephanie Nielson, Amy Hackworth, Justin Hackworth, Carina Hoskisson, Brooke Benton
Stephanie and Christian Nielson
I love this picture so much. Kiera and my dad.
Still learning from Kent Miles
And here’s what Kiera Haddock saw that night.
30 Strangers exhibit at BYU
See how much fun everyone was having
Kent Miles
Ariel Martin
Listening to essays
Stephanie Nielson
I love this picture of Kent photographing us all
Me and Amy
me and Kent Miles
Now I know what you’re thinking. Your thinking I look so good in that suit and you’re wondering if I went to Italy to get it. Well, you’re in luck. I didn’t go to Italy. I went across the street from my office to Perfectly Suited by Garth. Custom suits and off the rack suits. He has both. And plus, you need to meet Garth. I’m not going to say anything more about that, other than, you’ve just got to meet him. It’ll be the highlight of your day. Trust me.
Perfectly suited by Garth
Perfectly suited is located at: 55 North University Avenue, suite 110.
Like I said at the beginning of this post, I’m so grateful for everyone that has been a part of this year’s 3o Strangers project. I couldn’t do this on my own.
Thanks to Stephen Martin for helping me with P.R.
Thanks to Laura Mumm for framing the entire show.
Thanks to Ashley, Kiera, and Brett for documenting the night.
Thanks to Kent for teaching me how to see things just a little differently.
Thanks to all the 30 Strangers.
Thanks to Danyelle for coming from Washington to be part of the project and then, again, to come see the show. Wow. You rock.
Thanks to Jeanette for being a stranger and for putting something about the show in your magazine.
Thanks to Amy for being patient when I had to stay up late in April to edit picture for a speedy turn-around time and for your constant, constant support.
Thanks to all the essay readers.
Thanks to everyone that came to see the exhibit and to join us on the opening night.
Thanks to the folks at the BYU library that let me have the show there and thanks for hanging the show.
Thanks to Alex at BYU for the very cool poster design.
Thanks to Garth for making me look even better than I normally do.
Thanks to Huey Lewis and the News (Just wanted to see if you are still reading this).
Thanks to Jeremy (my brother) and Carisa for coming all the way from San Diego to see the show.
Thanks to Jenni (my sister) for coming from St. George to be there.
Thanks to my parents for coming home from China just in time to see the show.
Thanks to my mom for teaching me to ask people questions instead of doing all the talking, because everyone, everyone, has a great story to tell.
Next year: year five. Who will I meet? I wonder if it will be you.
By the way, the exhibit will be up until August 1st. If you didn’t get a chance to see the show, there’s still time.
{ 9 comments }
I went. I got there later and entered an empty gallery except for a child running around. Then I entered the readings in the middle of one. Surprised to see my neighbor up there making me laugh. Who knew?
I gotta catch her outside one day and talk!
Thanks for coming. Glad you got to enjoy it.
hi Justin,
You took our pictures last year in SF and I wish I had known then that your dad was one of my favorite professors ever! I went on his literature study abroad trip to Europe back in 1998. I don’t know why I didn’t realize you two must be related. Anyway, I saw his picture in this post and then I put it together. How fun. He was a great teacher!
Denae Harlow
Denae, thanks for letting me know. How fun, and what a small world.
One of the things I like best about you is that you are so genuine. You really want to know about people, or you are a good faker
I love the pics of you and Amy. You both look really happy.
So stinkin’ sad I missed it. I’m driving through this Wednesday and plan on stopping in for a peek before you have to take it down. I’m so glad it was such a great night! These pictures are wonderful.
Wow. What beautiful event… a delightful time with a meaningful purpose and heart. Lovely, lovely…
Thanks, Jenny. I sure appreciate that. And I hope you saw that picture of you in the post about Evo.
wowee. you just made me terribly sad to have missed the fantastic event. congratulations to you on such an amazing night. looks like it was so thoughtfully done (no surprise there). am sure all the details (and stars) were aligned perfectly.
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