Photographer's book signing to benefit Alzheimer's Association, celebrates mother's life

By Sally F. White
Columnist
nside@neighbornewspapers.com

Internationally recognized photographer Jeannette Montgomery Barron will introduce her unique book "My Mother's Clothes" at two signing events to benefit the Alzheimer's Association Tuesday on the third floor of Saks Fifth Avenue at Phipps Plaza in Buckhead.

Saks will add visual fashion elements to both the 1 and 6 p.m. events.

The just-released book honors the life of Ms. Barron's mother, Eleanor Morgan Montgomery Atuk, and her love of fashion. Ms. Atuk moved to Atlanta in 1942 and was active in Atlanta's civic and social communities. For five years, Barron witnessed her mothers' suffering from Alzheimer's disease and discovered that her mother had preserved many of her favorite designer outfits. She also found her mother's declining memory could be sparked by her love of fashion. Through this journey of discovery, Ms. Barron has created a portrait of her late mother combining color images of cherished vintage fashions spanning the late 1950s through mid-80s with a narrative linking poignant memories.

Ms. Barron was born in Atlanta in 1956, studied at the International Center of Photography in New York and has become renowned for her portraits of the art world and exceptional still life photography published with collaborating text by famous authors. Her works are featured in museums, public and corporate collections in the U.S. and Europe. She now lives and works in Rome and Connecticut with her husband and two children.

Joining forces with the Alzheimer's Association in several cities on her national book tour, Ms. Barron said her tour is intended to raise awareness about the disease. Her remarks will highlight the creativity of "caretakers" and coping with a loved one's loss of memory.

Tickets for the events will include a copy of the book.

Tickets and information: Courtney Carney, (404) 659-0919.