ASHBURN, VA—Hundreds of thousands of acres of open space and farmland have disappeared from Loudoun County's landscape in the last decade, despite the efforts of citizens and organizations to sustain their rural heritage, culture, and small town environment through historic preservation and restoration, ecological stewardship, and the nurturing of a vibrant rural economy.

Loudoun County's struggle to maintain its rich natural environment in the wake of the fastest urban development in the nation is illustrated in a photo essay by regional photographer Jim Hanna. The exhibit, "Rural Culture on the Edge,” features 23 images that create a palpable tension between stunning rural landscapes and the advancing wave of urban development.

"Rural Culture on the Edge" is the inaugural show in a series of four exhibits hosted by The George Washington University Virginia Campus in partnership with Gallery 222 of the Loudoun Academy of the Arts Foundation. The exhibit will be on display through August 2008.

Hanna's photos have been recognized in a number of juried shows including the Waterford Art Fair, the Four Seasons of Oatlands Art Show, and the Loudoun County Landmarks Exhibit.

A resident of western Loudoun County, his recent focus is the appreciation of the area's rural lifestyles and natural beauty and the efforts of the community to maintain its existence. He plans to publish the expanding photographic collection of "Rural Culture on the Edge" in 2009.

The exhibit is on display at the GW Virginia Campus, 44983 Knoll Square, First Floor Gallery Lounge and is open to the public. An artist reception is scheduled on Thursday, May 8, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

For more information, call Corporate and Community Relations, 703-726-3650.
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