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WILKES-BARRE — Pete Souza knows how someone can look and behave like a president — he’s captured two of them over the course of many decades.

The former chief official White House photographer will be the subject of a new exhibit at Wilkes University’s Sordoni Art Gallery, “Two Presidents, One Photographer.” Opening Oct. 22 and running through Dec. 8, the exhibit will feature Souza’s favorite images from his time covering the Reagan and Obama administrations.

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, Souza will lead a free lecture at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center to discuss his career while photographing Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama during their presidencies. The 7 p.m. lecture will be preceded by a Sordoni gallery members-only meet and greet at 4:30 p.m. with Souza, which will include a preview of the upcoming exhibits and refreshments.

Amid two different political ideologies — from Ronald Reagan’s conservative approach as a two-term Republican president to Barack Obama’s liberal wave of hope and change — Souza captured what it was like to have the two men occupy the Oval Office.

Souza has over 2.1 million followers on Instagram and is the author of two best-selling books, “Obama: An Intimate Portrait” and “Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents.” A book signing will follow the 7 p.m. lecture.

In addition to the Oct. 15 lecture, two Wilkes professors will also offer “Art in Context” talks at the gallery.

Thomas J. Baldino, a professor emeritus of political science, will hold one at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 23. Lisa Reynolds, an assistant professor of digital design and media art, will discuss how graphic design influences the political narrative at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 13.

President Barack Obama, second from left, and the national security team look on as the raid to capture Osama bin Laden unfolds on May 2, 2011. Pete Souza, who took this photograph, is the subject of an upcoming exhibit at the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University and will lead a lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 15, called ‘Two Presidents, One Photographer.’
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_obamasouza.jpg.optimal.jpgPresident Barack Obama, second from left, and the national security team look on as the raid to capture Osama bin Laden unfolds on May 2, 2011. Pete Souza, who took this photograph, is the subject of an upcoming exhibit at the Sordoni Art Gallery at Wilkes University and will lead a lecture on Tuesday, Oct. 15, called ‘Two Presidents, One Photographer.’ Pete Souza via AP

By Tamara Dunn

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