Nathan Lyons

Nathan Lyons (1930-2016), was a giant in the world of photography. Although not immediately recognized among American artists like Ansel Adams, Walker Evans, and W. Eugene Smith, his impact on the field of photography is arguably more significant.

Lyons graduated from Alfred University in 1957 and was hired by Beaumont Newhall to work at the George Eastman House. By 1960 he was appointed assistant director and curated exhibitions of contemporary photographers and the history of photography.

In 1962, Lyons coordinated a conference to address concerns of educators in photography.  Attendance included Beaumont Newhall, Walter Rosenblum, Arthur Sinsabaugh, Aaron Siskind, Henry Holmes Smith, John Szarkowski, Jerry Uelsmann and Clarence White among others. This effort was followed in 1963 by a national conference in Chicago, IL and was the beginning of the Society for Photographic Education (SPE). To this day SPE continues to:

“…provide and foster an understanding of photography as a means of diverse creative expression, cultural insight, and experimental practice. Through its interdisciplinary programs, services and publications, the society seeks to promote a broader understanding of the medium in all its forms through teaching and learning, scholarship, and criticism.”

In 1969, he left the Eastman House to start the organization Visual Studies Workshops (VSW), internationally recognized for their publication Afterimage: The Journal of Media Arts and Cultural Criticism. The work of VSW and Afterimage has been the basis for the careers of artists, curators, scholars, and critics; it continues to be a leading forum for discourse in the arts.

Lyons’ work is in every major photography collection. In 2000 he was awarded the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography and in October of 2016 he was selected to be recognized with the Visionary Award from the Lucie Foundation.

All the collections and organizations that are proud to call him one of their own will never live up to the thousands of individuals who have been impacted by his works in every area of photography.