Allison V. Smith

Eye On Texas: Empty Schools

May 16, 2013, 9:30 AM, CDT

A version of this story ran in the May 2013 issue.

Empty Texas schools intrigue me. The quiet spaces, the old water fountains and chalkboards, the big windows casting natural light. In 2008 I was invited to photograph Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas before the old building was remodeled into the modern school it is now. I wandered the vacant school with my Hasselblad and tripod, photographing shapes and colors in the beautiful old space. In 2012, when I heard the Dallas Independent School District would be closing 11 schools, I got permission to continue this personal project. I have also photographed schools in Marfa, Valentine, Abilene, and Windthorst.

See more of Dallas photographer Allison V. Smith’s work.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Seeking Texas-based documentary photography that captures the strangest state. Please send inquiries to [email protected].

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<p>Empty Texas schools intrigue me. The quiet spaces, the old water fountains and chalkboards, the big windows casting natural light. In 2008 I was invited to photograph Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas before the old building was remodeled into the modern school it is now. I wandered the vacant school with my Hasselblad and tripod, photographing shapes and colors in the beautiful old space. In 2012, when I heard the Dallas Independent School District would be closing 11 schools, I got permission to continue this personal project. I have also photographed schools in Marfa, Valentine, Abilene, and Windthorst.</p>
<p><em>See more of Dallas photographer <a href="http://www.allisonvsmith.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Allison V. Smith’s work</a>. </em></p>
<p><i>CALL FOR ENTRIES: Seeking Texas-based documentary photography that captures the strangest state. Please send inquiries to <a href="mailto:eyeontexas@texasobserver.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">eyeontexas@texasobserver.org</a>.</i></p>
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