Photographer Teri Slotkin's 'Mixed Doubles' Portraits Project at The Do Good Fund Invites Columbus, GA to Connect, Honor, and Celebrate One Another

Written by Carrie Beth Wallace

The Do Good Fund is preparing to launch a new project that promises to both fascinate and connect our community. Created by photographer Teri Slotkin, Mixed Doubles is a studio portrait series featuring pairs of people connected by birth, marriage, business, friendship, and other meaningful ties.

At a time when genuine connection can feel increasingly difficult, Mixed Doubles offers the people of Columbus, Georgia an opportunity to come together and recognize the relationships that shape our lives—especially the ones we may not always stop to celebrate.

But how did The Do Good Fund connect with Slotkin?

“I’ve been a friend of Florence Neal since she moved from Columbus, Georgia to New York City in 1977,” Slotkin shared this week. “In 1990, she co-founded the nonprofit Kentler International Drawing Space in Red Hook, Brooklyn, where she became Artistic and Executive Director. Sallie Mize, also from Columbus, joined Kentler in 2013 and is now Executive Director.”

Slotkin’s connection to both Neal and Mize deepened over the years through their shared work at Kentler.

“In 1992,” Slotkin explained, “Florence invited me to exhibit my Mixed Doubles portraits at Kentler. I thought the multi-generational neighborhood would make an interesting location for the project. Red Hook was made up of diverse groups that rarely connected with one another.”

The portrait sessions brought those groups together. Over several years, Slotkin continued photographing pairs, expanding community involvement each time. She was struck by the depth of engagement and enthusiasm the project inspired.

“The photographs have been exhibited frequently, and viewers still respond enthusiastically to seeing themselves, family members, and friends from earlier years on display,” Slotkin said. “Moved by the positive reaction, Florence and Sallie thought it would be meaningful to bring the project to Columbus, Georgia. I wholeheartedly agreed—and here I am.”

The Do Good Fund team embraced the opportunity to host the project in their gallery space. “We are striving to create a unique portrait of Columbus by highlighting as many interesting connections as we can,” said The Do Good Fund’s Collection Manager, Hallie Fivecoat. “I think we all crave connection, but sometimes it’s not easy to tap into it. This is an invitation to come together—and to invite someone you find interesting to join you. We want to give people a different kind of gallery experience where they can be part of the art-making process.”

Interested in participating? The Do Good Fund invites you and your “double”—a relative, friend, running partner, bingo buddy, coworker, professor, student, or anyone who shares a meaningful connection with you—to visit the Do Good Gallery between March 3 and March 11 for a quick portrait session. The Do Good Fund asks that interested participants utilize the project's sign up form.

Once the series of images is complete, the photographs will be exhibited in The DoGood Fund Gallery and each participant will receive a complimentary copy of their portrait. The opening reception and artist presentation for Mixed Doubles will be held on Saturday, March 21, from 5-7 PM.

Can’t access the sign-up form? Fivecoat encourages you to simply stop by. “We’ll find a way to squeeze people in!” she said.

For more information, contact The Do Good Gallery at info.dogoodfund@gmail.com.