Hear to Be Seen 2025

Originated by Alabama native photojournalist Shedrick Pelt, Hear to Be Seen began as a way to illuminate the artists of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library’s BLAST Music platform through intimate portraiture and personal storytelling. Now in its second year, the project has grown into a collaborative gallery showcasing work by multiple photographers with roots in the region–including not just Pelt, but local visionaries behind the lens Bud Gambrell, Dennis Keim, and Xavier Adams.
At its core, Hear to Be Seen is about visibility. Through portraits and written reflections, the exhibit explores each artist’s connection to creative process, environmental influences, and sense of identity. It reveals how these elements echo through their music and offers a deeper understanding of the people behind the sound.
Join us on Thursday, August 21 at The Orion for an opening night filled with live performances from featured BLAST artists, an artist talk moderated by WLRH’s Katy Ganaway, and an exclusive first look at the gallery before it travels to Huntsville City Hall. Thanks to support from the Huntsville Music Office, the full exhibit will remain on display in City Hall throughout September in celebration of Huntsville Music Month.
All featured artists are part of the BLAST Music streaming platform—a free, local music service powered by HMCPL. Hear to Be Seen would not be possible without the support of the Huntsville Music Office and WLRH, 89.3 FM/HD.