­­­­The Gateway Gallery

The Gateway Gallery at Great Bay Community College is open to the public Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Fridays, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The college is located at 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH.

Gateway Gallery at Great Bay Community College Presents “Creole Soul – Zydeco Lives” Photographs by Gary Samson

The Gateway Gallery at Great Bay Community College is honored to present “Creole Soul – Zydeco Lives,” a solo exhibition of photographs by renowned photographer Gary Samson. The exhibition runs through April 10, 2026, and is open to the public Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Fridays from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Great Bay Community College is located at 320 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth, NH.

Curated by Thomas Devaney, “Creole Soul – Zydeco Lives” features photographs from the book of the same name, a fifteen-year collaboration between folklorist Burt Feintuch and photographer Gary Samson. The exhibition presents original images from the publication, offering an intimate look at the musicians, traditions, and communities that sustain the vibrant zydeco music culture of Louisiana and Texas.

Through Samson’s lens, visitors encounter the expressive energy and deep cultural heritage of zydeco. The photographs capture performances, portraits, and everyday moments that reveal the music’s close ties to community life and identity.

About the Artist

Gary Samson is a fine art photographer and photo educator who has received numerous awards, grants, and fellowships over a career spanning more than four decades. He currently serves as the Artist Laureate of New Hampshire and is Professor Emeritus of Photography at the New Hampshire Institute of Art (NHIA).

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