Visual journalists and editors with the Chicago Tribune join the Smart Museum of Art x the Chicago Center on Democracy for a panel discussion about the critical role that images play in the ideals and practices of democracy, in political communication, and in public culture. Free, register online here.

Co-presented with the Chicago Center on Democracy.

Speakers:

Brian Cassella joined the Chicago Tribune as a photojournalist in 2009. He covers news, sports and features ranging from the World Series and the Olympics to daily neighborhood stories. A native of Baltimore, Brian previously worked for the Tampa Bay Times and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.

Marianne Mather is a veteran Chicago journalist, having worked as both photojournalist and visual editor at several daily newspapers including the Sun-Times, Elgin Courier-News and Aurora Beacon-News. She edits every facet of photography at the Tribune and is the editor for the weekly Vintage history section and curates the Instagram account, VintageTribune. She co-authored the book “He Had It Coming” about Chicago’s Murderess Row in 1924.

Todd Panagopoulos was named the Tribune’s director of content for visuals in 2018. He joined the Tribune in 1997, and soon after traveled extensively as a photo editor, including to three Olympic Games. The suburban Chicago native is a graduate of Columbia College Chicago. He has previously worked for The Daily Southtown, Northwest Indiana Times, and The Star Newspapers, while also contributing to the Associated Press and Agency France Press.

ABOUT SMART SALONS. Smart Salons is an interdisciplinary conversation series that fosters dialogue between UChicago students, faculty, staff, and the South Side community at the intersections of art and culture. From close-looking in the galleries to panel discussions, artists, researchers, scholars, and practitioners are invited to help us think and reflect expansively about art, ideas, and stories that matter today.

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/smart-salon-x-democracy-and-the-power-of-the-image-tickets-1022841786317

Photos by E.Jason Wambsgans, L - R: Brian Cassella, Marianne Mather, Todd Panagopoulos