It’s not a drive-in movie, but it might be the next best thing.
On Friday, Oct. 16, a one-night outdoor photo display, “Larger than Life,” will be staged in downtown Amherst to celebrate local families, seniors, and community during the pandemic, in a collaboration between a local photographer, two community organizations and a regional arts organization.
The photos will be projected against the wall of the Amherst Cinema from the parking lot behind Hastings; the free event requires viewers to wear face masks and practice social distancing.
The program includes two sections. For what’s called “The Front Steps Project,” over 200 families posed for portraits and in exchange donated almost $19,000 to the Amherst Survival Center.
“Becoming,” meantime, is a documentary and portrait photography exhibit featuring older adults living in Amherst and neighboring towns.
The event is hosted by the Amherst Survival Center, the Amherst Senior Center and Common Wealth Murals, and the photos are by Isabella Delliolio, an Amherst resident and documentary and portrait photographer. One of her photos was recently included in a celebration of people with Down Syndrome displayed on a Times Square billboard.
Common Wealth Murals, meantime, is a nonprofit group that manages public art projects in western Massachusetts, including mural installations, gallery shows and public art-making events. The group is directed by Amherst resident Britt Ruhe.
Viewing for “Larger than Life” takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. for seniors; open viewing for the general public is from 7 to 9 p.m.. Rain date is Oct. 23.
Steve Pfarrer can be reached at spfarrer@gazettenet.com.