LAMORINDA WEEKLY | 'Every Day is Memorial Day' photographs of the Lafayette Crosses to exhibit at the Lafayette Library


Photo Jeff Heyman

The City of Lafayette's Public Art Committee has selected "Every Day is Memorial Day," a collection of nine black and white photographs of the Lafayette Crosses by East Bay photographer Jeff Heyman, for an exhibit at the Lafayette Library's Public Art Gallery through the summer.

"Every Day is Memorial Day" focuses on the somber experience of walking among the Lafayette Crosses, or Lafayette Hillside Memorial, and contemplating the lives lost during war. Heyman found inspiration for the photographs from his own experience in war zones while he served with United Nations Peacekeeping. "These photographs of the Lafayette Crosses really capture for me the feeling of forgotten wars and vanished lives," Heyman said. "We should never forget war and those we have lost - in a very real way every day is Memorial Day."

First taking photography classes at San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, Calif., Heyman went on to earn a degree from San Francisco State University in Fine Art Photography. He studied under the photographers Catherine Wagner, Don Worth, Jack Welpott and Melanie Walker, and painters Paul Pratchenko and Robert Bechtle. "Every Day is Memorial Day" is Heyman's third solo exhibit.

"Every Day is Memorial Day" runs through Aug. 30. There will be an opening reception and artist's talk Monday, May 22, from 6 to 7 p.m., prior to the Lafayette City Council Meeting. The Public Art Gallery exhibit is on display in the Don Tatzin Community Hall at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette, Calif. For hours, please call the library at (925) 385-2280.

See his photos here: https://heymanfoto.smugmug.com/Exhibits/Jeff-Heyman-LLLC-Memorial-DayExhibit/