“Dunes & Dreams” Exhibit Opens at Branigan Cultural Center

“Dunes & Dreams: A Portrait of White Sands National Park,” stunning collection of photography from Emmitt Booher, will be exhibited at the Branigan Cultural Center Sept. 6 through Oct. 19, 2024.

Booher’s photographs capture the majestic gypsum dunes at White Sands National Park. An opening reception for the exhibit, with photographer Emmitt Booher in attendance, will take place at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6. There is no admission charge for the opening reception or the exhibit.

Frequently photographed in sweeping panoramic views, Booher, a local photographer, seeks to invite a more intimate portrayal of the gypsum dunefields found at White Sands National Park through his photographs. Created over a five-year period, Booher explored the constraints of a square photograph format while capturing the ethereal quality and subtle tones of the white sands.

Booher spent his early life living and working on a small ranch in New Mexico which instilled a lifelong appreciation of the landscape, history, and people of New Mexico. After moving to Mesilla 34 years ago, Booher was drawn to the magical and sublime gypsum dunes found at White Sands National Park. He has been photographing them ever since.

“These photographs reflect an introspective and intimate observation of this environment and as a metaphor of our world today,” said Booher. “They invite the observer to take pause, to absorb the fragile landscape and explore the diversity of this complex ecosystem.”

The Branigan Cultural Center is located at 501 N. Main St. and is open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. There is no admission charge. The museum is accessible from Roadrunner Transit Route 1, Stop 1. For more information, visit the Las Cruces Museum online or call (575) 541-2154.