Unspoken | What the Earth Whispers
A Night at the Chrysler Museum of Art
On the evening of May 29th, I had the privilege of standing on the stage of the Kaufman Theater at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia, as part of the Masterpiece Society’s Spring Program.
I’ve spoken in some unusual places before - on trails, beside waterfalls, sometimes to squirrels. But this was something different. The lights, the acoustics, the history of the room all carried a kind of reverence. And so did the people.
What I didn’t know at the time was this: it would become the most highly attended Masterpiece Spring Program in the museum’s history.
The Talk
My presentation was titled Unspoken | What the Earth Whispers. It wasn’t just about photography. It was about what lies underneath it, the things we often feel but rarely put into words: silence, wonder, patience, purpose.
I shared the story of growing up in a home where structure and creativity existed side by side…where my father wore a uniform by day and painted oils by night.
I spoke about Uncle Bill and the Olympus OM-1. About quitting a high paying corporate job with three kids and no roadmap, truly a very questionable decision at the time. About wilderness. About truth. About how I use large-format film not because it’s convenient, but because it makes me pay attention.
This is might be the only remaining image I have of the two of us together & it holds a special place in my heart. You see, that’s me and Uncle Bill in Central Park New York City, at a fundraiser for underprivileged children. Every lap around the park by roller skates my sponsors donated more to the cause. After 6 hours, I was exhausted, we helped a lot of families though.
The Crowd
The audience that night was extraordinary and fully present, thoughtful, generous with their attention and laughter. After the talk, I received messages and conversations that I’ll never forget.
One woman told me, “I feel like I just came away from a therapy session, that was amazing.”
Another said, “Your work and philosophy are exactly what the world needs to know, see, and experience more of.”
Someone else, visibly emotional, asked for a photo with me and simply said, “Thank you. This moved me.”
One comment in particular stood out: “You need to give this same speech to other museum groups…because you are a breath of fresh air.”
The Space
The Kaufman Theater was the perfect venue. The lighting, the sound, the technical support, all flawless. The team at the Chrysler? First class all the way. The staff and the Masterpiece Society volunteers created an environment where art, conversation, and connection could thrive. I couldn’t have asked for more.
After the talk, we gathered for a dinner hosted by the Society, where stories continued and ideas flowed. It felt less like an event…and more like a beginning.
A Groundswell of Support
The next morning, I received this message:
“Just to let you know…there is a huge groundswell of support this morning from many who heard your talk that the Chrysler needs to have an exhibition of your work. I know Christy has sent an email to Mark asking for this to be seriously considered. Stay tuned…”
For context: Christy is the Chair of the Masterpiece Society. Mark is the Head Curator of the Museum. That kind of momentum is rare, and deeply humbling.
We’ll see what comes next. But I’m hopeful. And grateful.
That’s Christy giving me a very kind introduction.
Listening to the Whispers
The talk was called Unspoken | What the Earth Whispers for a reason. Because I believe that the natural world is always speaking - we’ve just forgotten how to listen. And on that night in Norfolk, in a room full of strangers who didn’t feel like strangers for long, I think we all heard something worth remembering.
Until Next Time, Take Care & I’ll,
See Ya on the Trail!
Rodney Lough Jr.
P.S. A special thanks to CW & Marilyn - the hosts with the most and champions of the arts, Thank You!
I'd love to hear from you…
What has the earth whispered to you?
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