Event Link: https://www.hcscconline.org/the-unchosen-ones.html

FEE: FREE and open to the public.

R. J. Kerns discusses his inspiration and creation of The Unchosen Ones. 

The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County is pleased to announce a new traveling exhibit opening Tuesday, July 8 at the Hjemkomst Center, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead, MN. This unique collection of vibrant images will be shown at the Hjemkomst Center July 8 through September 30, 2025.  

The Unchosen Ones, a color photography exhibit by Minnesota photographer R. J. Kerns, captures the spirit and dignity of the children and the animals who compete in livestock competitions and do not win. Loveably Minnesotan, the exhibit was created from portraits taken at 10 Minnesota county fairs, including Clay County’s. The exhibit consists of 20 43” X 53” prints in wood frames and 8 framed 14” x 17” silver gelatin prints from wet plate collodion tintypes. 

The exhibit encompasses a series of portraits of young people posing with the animals they have raised, cared for, and groomed for entry into a best-animal competition with dreams of the glory of moving on to State Fair victory. No victory is shown here, however. These animals and their young owners were not deemed champions; they came in second or third or not at all. Here, on the sidelines of the main events, these disappointed children and their beloved animals illustrate a small backstory, preserving a moment of failure, loss, love, and hope, as only photography can.

These activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage fund, and by the Fargo-Moorhead Area Foundation, the Alex Stern Family Foundation, and The Arts Partnership, with support from the Cities of Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo.