The A2AC Gallery in Downtown Ann Arbor is pleased to host Obama: An Intimate Portrait, a profound look at a historic presidency through the eyes of former Chief Official White House photographer Pete Souza, who did more than document a president; he invited the country into the home of an intelligent, compassionate, graceful, and complex man. For eight years, Americans were a part of the Obama family.

The exhibition features 50 photographs that were personally chosen by Souza. His photographs put viewers in Obama’s daily life; we feel the tension in the situation room, laugh as Obama plays tricks on his staff, and cry when the President bends down to let an African-American boy touch his hair.

Pete Souza

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​“Starting on Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009, I was determined to create the best photographic archive of a President that had ever been done. That meant I needed to always be around. Every day.” — Pete Souza

ARTIST BIO

Pete Souza is a best-selling author, speaker, and freelance photographer. He is also Professor Emeritus of Visual Communication at Ohio University. For all eight years of the Obama administration, Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer and the Director of the White House photo office. His book, Obama: An Intimate Portrait, was published by Little, Brown & Company in 2017 and debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. His 2018 book, Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, also debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Shade is a portrait in Presidential contrasts, telling the tale of the Obama and Trump administrations through a series of visual juxtapositions. It is one of the best-selling photography books of all time.

Opening Reception

Friday, September 13, 2024, 6-8pm

Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI

Join us for the opening reception of Obama: An Intimate Portrait – Photography by Pete Souza, featuring your first chance to experience this exhibition. This event will coincide with the Opening Reception of the Spotlight Gallery’s Queer Chimera: Fiber and Mixed Media Art by Juniper Wolfenbarger.

Free

VIP Meet & Greet with Pete Souza

Sunday, September 29, 2-4pm

Ann Arbor Art Center
117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI

Purchase tickets to our exclusive VIP Meet & Greet with Pete Souza event in the A2AC Gallery.

A2AC Author Series

Thursday, October 10, 7-8:30pm

A2AC Gallery
117 W. Liberty St., Ann Arbor, MI

The A2AC Author Series features MI-based writers whose work builds connections with the visual art presented in the A2AC Gallery.