Community

SAMA Altoona features Whiteman’s photography

The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art at Altoona will present "The Journey of Seeing: Photographs by David Whiteman," an exhibition featuring the work of Centre County photographer David Whiteman, from Oct. 16 through Jan. 17, 2027.

An opening reception is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the museum.

Whiteman's photography includes landscapes, wildlife, architecture and scenes captured during his travels. Although his work features locations around the world, it also reflects his belief that compelling images can be found close to home.

Whiteman grew up on a dairy farm in Centre County, where he developed an early appreciation for hard work, self-reliance and the beauty of the natural world. After high school, he served four years in the U.S. Air Force. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from Penn State University.

He began working as a financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial in 1984. After four decades in the profession, he sold his business in May 2024 and retired to focus on travel, hiking, adventure and photography.

Whiteman purchased his first camera, a Canon AE-1, in 1977 while serving in the Air Force. His interest in photography grew after he purchased his first digital camera in 2002. In 2014, he attended his first photography workshop, beginning a deeper study of composition, photographic techniques and digital editing.

His photography tours have taken him throughout the United States and to Chile, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Canada, Africa and Iceland.

Among the locations he has photographed are Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

His hiking adventures have included the French, Swiss and Italian Alps; the Andes of Peru and Chile; the Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada; and the Himalayas.

Whiteman continues to develop his skills through workshops, studying other photographers' work and experimenting with new techniques. He also sees photography as a way to document environmental changes and preserve images of places that may look different in the future.

"For me, photography has always been about learning," Whiteman said. "My quest for beautiful photos has taken me all over the country and all over the world, yet I always find endless possibilities right here where I live, in Centre County, Pennsylvania."

Jodi Peachey, site director of SAMA Altoona, said Whiteman's work combines an adventurous spirit with an appreciation for the places and moments he encounters.

"This exhibition invites visitors to consider not only what we see, but how we learn to see," Peachey said.

Whiteman will present two lectures at the museum on Nov. 29 and Dec. 11.

SAMA Altoona is located in the Brett Building at 1210 11th Ave. The museum is open from noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and offers free admission. A suggested $5 donation supports educational programs, cultural events and regional art exhibitions.

Limited one-hour street parking is available in front of the museum. The Altoona Parking Authority garage offers free parking after 5 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends.

For more information, visit sama-art.org, call 814-946-4464 or email altoona@sama-art.org.