Indian Circus (September 25th – November 14th) highlights Mary Ellen Mark’s enduring influence on documentary photography through an intimate body of work shaped by trust, observation, and her commitment to photographing people on the margins.
In presenting the first solo exhibition of Mary Ellen Mark’s work in Colorado, the Colorado Photographic Arts Center is proud to share this important body of work with new audiences and honor an artist whose approach to documentary photography continues to influence photographers today.
Exhibition support provided by Charles Cannon and Laurie Baxter
Opening Reception: Thursday, October 1st, 5pm-8pm.
In-Person Panel Discussion:
Join us Tuesday, October 27 at 5:30 pm for an in-person panel discussion in the gallery examining the ethics of representation in documentary photography. Inspired by Mary Ellen Mark’s Indian Circus, photographer Ron Cooper and multidisciplinary artist Bala Thiagarajan will join CPAC Executive Director & Curator Samantha Johnston for a conversation about how photographers represent people, places, and communities—and the responsibilities that come with that work.
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday 11am-5pm, Saturday 12pm-4pm
Image Credit: Acrobats Practicing at Famous Circus. Calcutta, 1989 ©Mary Ellen Mark, courtesy of The Mary Ellen Mark Foundation/Howard Greenberg Gallery
September 25, 2026 - November 14, 2026
Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC)
