Photographer and storyteller David J. Schwartz will premiere his new Route 66 exhibition, “Roadwork Ahead: The Exhibition – A Future for the Mother Road,” at the Art On 66 Gallery in Wilmington, Illinois.
The show opens with a public reception on Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will remain on view through Nov. 21.
The exhibition is presented in tandem with Schwartz’s conference talk, “Roadwork Ahead: A Future for the Mother Road,” at the Miles of Possibility Conference in Joliet, Illinois, on Oct. 11, at 9:15 a.m.
Together, the talk and exhibition explore Route 66 as it approaches its centennial in 2026, highlighting the people, places and renewed energy shaping its next century.
“For over 20 years, I have been traveling Route 66 and have made more than 40 trips out of Cleveland, Ohio,” Schwartz said in a news release. “It has become my passion and pride to document the Mother Road and preserve it for future generations.
“Over these decades, I have seen the loss of many longtime businesses, but I’ve also witnessed the resilience of those who remain, the families carrying forward traditions, and the newcomers bringing fresh ideas. This collection of imagery honors the guardians, the torchbearers, and the visionaries who ensure the spirit of Route 66 remains alive and thriving.”
The exhibition will feature fine-art photographs of neon signs, classic motels, roadside businesses, Route 66 giants and the people whose dedication sustains the road.
Following its premiere in Illinois, the exhibition will continue in Lakewood, Ohio, from Dec. 4 to 7, with a special holiday open studio at David Schwartz Photography.
(Image of David Schwartz on the Oatman Road by Bryan Bukovec; courtesy image of Gay Parita Station in Missouri by Schwartz)