Bruce McNeil

Bruce McNeil
Born	(1939-02-13)February 13, 1939 New York, New York, U.S.
Died	May 16, 2019(2019-05-16) (aged 80) Washington, DC, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Photographer
Known for	Environmental river photography

Bruce McNeil (February 19, 1939 – May 16, 2019) was an American environmental fine arts photographer predominantly known for photographic work which has documented the Washington, DC area waterways.^[1][2] For over two decades his environmental photography has especially focused on documenting the Anacostia River.^[3] The Washington Examiner and The Washington Post have dubbed him as “DC River Man” and “Washington’s River Man.”^[4][1] He was the organizer of the Anacostia River School of Photography, "a ragtag group of a half-dozen photographers who either live or work in the neighborhood and are devoted to shooting the river and its environs."^[1] McNeill died on May 16, 2019, at the age of 80.^[5]

Work

Mc Neil was a former photographer, lightening and dark room technician, and fabricator of the installations at the McCord Museum in the William Notman Photographic Archives, and assistant to the designer and photographer for the MacDonald Steward Foundation.^[4] His work has been exhibited at the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, Sandy Spring Museum, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History & Culture, George Washington University Museum, Parish Gallery, Hill Center Galleries at the Old Naval Hospital, and the Anacostia Art Center.^[4][6][7][8] McNeil is the recipient of the East of the River Distinguished Artist Award in 2016,^[4][9] and his work is in the permanent collection of the city of Washington, DC.^[10]

Press

In discussing McNeil's photos at the city's Honfleur Gallery in 2012, a Washington Post writer noted that "McNeil’s work centers around the growth of the neighborhood through manipulating images of the Anacostia River."^[11] In reviewing the same exhibition, the Post's art critic added that "Bruce McNeil’s “A River Divide — A Tale of Two Cities,” for example, is an impressionistic photograph of light on the Anacostia."^[12]

References

1. McCarthy, Ellen (2011-09-29). "Anacostia River: A photographer sees its veiled beauty". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
2. "Countdown to 2025 - A 30th Anniversary Celebration". Anacostia Watershed Society. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
3. "Bruce McNeil". DC Artists East. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
4. "Bruce McNeil – Hill Center DC". Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
5. "Remembering the life of Bruce MCNEIL". montrealgazette.remembering.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-29.
6. Dawson, Jessica (2002-02-14). "David Levinthal's Superficial Side". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-03-13.
7. Ericksson, Amanda (2013-05-22). "Anacostia's Arts Scene Is Growing. Who Should It Be For?". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
8. Hutinet, Phil (2017-10-30). "New Public Art Project Connects Anacostia Historic District to River". East City Art. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
9. Davis, Kate (2015-08-15). "Bruce McNeil is the 2016 East of the River Distinguished Artist Award Recipient". Arch Development. Retrieved 2019-03-11.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
10. Fischer, Jonathan (2011-11-18). "Arts Roundup: Gallery? Edition". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 2019-04-30.
11. Williams, Erin (2012-07-13). "Sixth annual "East of the River" photo exhibition continues to bring culture and change to Anacostia". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-03-11.
12. Jenkins, Mark (2012-08-30). "'Water' theme allows for dense, complicated artwork". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-03-11.