As the school year comes to a close, Loomis Chaffee’s Richmond Art Center comes alive. The newest exhibition, Everywhere but Unseen, features Jeremy Dennis, a Shinnecock photographer, whose work – including On This Site – Native Long Island, the Shinnecock Portraits Project, and the 2022 Ma’s House Reciprocity Project documentary – allows viewers to reconsider previously overlooked histories.
Dennis explores themes of Indigenous identity, cultural heritage, and land acknowledgement, fostering a deeper understanding of Native American experiences in our current society.
Reclaiming Indigenous histories through visual storytelling, his work highlights parts of the past that are often rendered invisible or overlooked, encouraging viewers to see these stories in a different light.
“When I went to college, I was a computer science major,” Dennis recalled, “so I went from that to studio art—which, in most people’s minds, [is very frowned upon]. But because of that change, I really wanted my art to always be educational or have some sort of inherent value in that.”
This shift marked the beginning of his commitment to making art that is visually and intellectually engaging through a medium in which he could preserve stories, challenge misconceptions, and foster understanding.
“When you actually read the accompanying text, you’ll start to understand the historical importance, the cultural importance,” said Director of the Mercy Gallery, Mx. Christian Ryan. “[It goes beyond] looking at pictures. There’s more levels of meaning.”
Dennis’ career was deeply influenced by his mother, Denise Silva-Dennis, who once aspired to be a photographer. Although she was discouraged by the art world of her time, she became a public school art teacher who fostered a creative and supportive environment for her son.
“My mom really wanted to be a photographer,” Dennis shared. “Having a parent who is an artist is a big motivating and reinforcing element in your life.”
While his mother’s influence sparked his artistic journey, it was photography that helped Dennis find his own voice, pushing him to challenge his comfort zone.
“When I was in high school and college, I was very shy,” he admitted. “I was too shy to have conversations with people and [make] eye contact. [Photography] really allowed me to break out of my shell and meet people that I never would have met [otherwise].”
For Loomis Chaffee art students, these exhibitions are more than a gallery walk – they are also an opportunity to connect with the artist, ask questions, and engage directly with a new medium and perspective.
“What we want them to take away from this is [not only] an understanding for a new medium that they may not have not worked with, but also [how to] talk about art and ask questions,” said Visual Arts Department Head, Ms. Ro Clark. “Hopefully it influences them a little within their art or within other parts of their life.”
That influence has already been sown amongst students. Many found this experience eye-opening and inspiring, gaining a new appreciation of how a medium as seemingly simple as photography can convey complex histories.
“I really loved how the photography was deeply focused on the land and how it . The deep history really took me by surprise,” commented Regina Amador ’27.
