Special to The Simpsonville Sentinel
The current Fountain Inn Museum exhibit, The Fabric of a Town, What We Wore from 1860 to 1960, has been extended through the end of July. Call for information about group tours or stop by the Museum Tuesday through Friday, 10-6, or Saturday, 9-2, to see this intriguing collection of clothing worn by some of the town’s favorite personalities.
The Museum Gallery has just opened another exhibit titled Classic Portraiture. Photographer Ron Urso’s work is representative of portrait photography that goes back almost two centuries. Urso’s studio was in Mauldin, where he captured fascinating studies of Greenville county personalities, along with people of national and international fame.
Shortly after opening his studio he began winning awards and citations, including the coveted “First Timer Award” and first place for portraits of women given by the South Carolina Professional Photographers of America (SCPPA). Recognition also came for his work in commercial, architectural, and sport photography. Among the accolades were the prestigious “Fellow of Photography” degree. conferred by the SCPPA, and the national award for Kodak Photographic Excellence.
During the ‘80s Ron was selected by Governor Carroll Campbell for the official photographs of him and other Republican politicians. He had the honor of training his camera on ohter influential political figures including Senator Strom Thurmond, Governor David Beasley, President George Bush, President Gerald Ford, and President Ronald Reagan.
As the official photographer for the original Greenville Magazine, he provided many covers and articles. The covers featured celebrities such as Paul Sorvino, Gloria Tennant, Charlton Heston, Frankie Avalon, and Peter Rickett. In addition to the Greenville Magazine, Ron frequently photographed for Clemson, USC, Furman, the Atlanta Braves, and the Greenville Braves.
Classic Portraiture will be exhibited in the Fountain Inn Museum Gallery during the months of July, August and September.■
