From the ring to the gallery
September 1, 2009
By: Mark Nicklawske Regional Editor
Source: PressPubs.com
From the ring to the gallery
Former pro wrestler shares Guatemala photos at show
WYOMING — Nora Greenwald has traveled around the world as a professional wrestler but a love of photography made her stop in Guatemala.
Greenwald, best known as wrestler Molly Holly, will exhibit a collection of photographs she made during an extended stay in Antigua, Guatemala, at the Nesting Grounds Coffee House this month. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 at the coffee house, 26395 Forest Blvd. in downtown Wyoming.
Greenwald said she studied photography as a student at Forest Lake High School but discovered the power of the medium while traveling on the professional wrestling circuit.
“When I used to travel as a professional wrestler with the WWE, I would try to visit art museums all over the U.S. and all over the world,” she said. “One afternoon I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, and saw a photograph of (musician) Iggy Pop by photographer Annie Leibovitz.”
That day proved to be inspirational.
“It was so powerful, my heart sank into my stomach and I felt like I could look right through the print into a tormented soul,” she said. “It totally changed the way I viewed photography. I began to feel more of a personal connection with the subjects I chose to photograph and the reasons behind it.”
Greenwald took a week-long mission trip to Antigua, Guatemala in 2006. She was told not to bring any valuables and left her camera at home.
“That was a big mistake,” she said. “I fell in love with the people and the culture there. I decided to return one year later with my digital SLR. I lived in Guatemala for four months. I spent most of my time there studying Spanish, attending a bi-lingual church and taking pictures.”
The trip generated thousands of images.
Portraits of local men, women and children; landscapes featuring dramatic Guatemalan volcanos and detailed pictures of colorful arts and crafts created in the country are all featured in the Nesting Grounds exhibit.
Greenwald said she spent months editing her work down to the best 20 photos, matting, framing and labeling her art.The Nesting Grounds show will be the first public exhibit of her work.
Greenwald said as a Linwood Township native she would frequent the Nesting Grounds and got to know owner Jim and Sondra Mericle. The place was a natural fit for the show.
“I love that The Nesting Grounds supports Fair Trade,” said Greenwald. “I was able to visit many coffee plantations in Guatemala and met the workers there. It’s important to me that the hard-working families in third world countries are treated with dignity and respect.”
Greenwald has stepped away from wresting for awhile. She has worked as a counselor for Minnesota Teen Challenge, a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation program and recently transferred to a drug prevention program called Know the Truth.
Proceeds from the sale of her framed photos and greeting cards will go to a Youth With a Mission family and a Teen Challenge mission in Uruguay.
Greenwald said she is looking forward to the opening and raising money for a worthy cause.
“As each day gets closer and closer to the opening reception, I get more and more excited,” she said. “I hope to sell many photographs so it will benefit the YWAM and Teen Challenge missions. Regardless of the sales, I hope to meet many new people, enjoy the live music, good conversation and have some great coffee.”