McLean Project for the Arts presents “Bernard (Bernie) Boston Retrospective: A Photojournalist, Social Justice Advocate, and Family Man” Exhibit 

McLean, VA: McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) will open its next Atrium Gallery exhibition, Bernard (Bernie) Boston Retrospective: A Photojournalist, Social Justice Advocate, and Family Man, on Thursday, November 6, 2025, with an Opening Exhibition Reception from 4-6pm. 

An award-winning photo journalist, Bernie Boston made history by becoming the first African American member of the White House press corps, covering every president from Truman through Clinton. Boston was a long-time McLean resident, and former Chairman of the McLean Community Center Governing Board (1977-1979). The Atrium Gallery exhibit will feature framed photographs from his fascinating, decades-long career. 

Phoebe Mills Farris, Ph.D. (Powhatan-Pamunkey)—a retired Purdue University professor emerita, photographer, and freelance art critic—curated the exhibition. 

‘We’re very excited about the exhibit. It’s something new for us, as we usually only work with living artists, and Bernie was more of a journalistic photographer than a strictly artistic one. We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate and build community with Historic Pleasant Grove Church,” said Nancy Sausser, MPA Artistic Director.

The exhibit is a collaboration between MPA and the Friends of Historic Pleasant Grove Church in McLean and will be held concurrently in MPA’s Atrium Gallery and at the Historic Pleasant Grove Church. An opening reception for the Pleasant Grove Church exhibition will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, from 3-5pm, and will include light refreshments. Visit www.historicpleasantgrove.org to RSVP.

The MPA Atrium Gallery is available for viewing during McLean Community Center operating hours. The Historic Pleasant Grove exhibition is available for viewing November 8 from 1-5pm, November 9 and 23 from 2-4pm; December 7 and 21 from 2-4pm; January 11 and 25 from 2-4pm; and February 8 and 22 from 2-4pm. 

Bernard (Bernie) Boston Retrospective: A Photojournalist, Social Justice Advocate, and Family Man runs November 6, 2025 – February 24, 2026. The McLean Project for the Arts Emerson Gallery Visit www.mpaart.org for exhibition information. To learn more about Bernie Boston, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Boston.

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About MPA

MPA Exhibits, Educates and Inspires

McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) is one of the mid-Atlantic region’s most respected contemporary visual arts organizations. MPA provides high-quality art exhibitions showcasing the work of established and emerging artists, educational programs, art classes, MPAartfest, summer art camps, and ArtReach, an award-winning program serving students in grades K – 12, seniors, and individuals with special needs. For more information, visit www.mpaart.org.

About the Historic Pleasant Grove  
Historic Pleasant Grove is a community landmark in McLean, Virginia, built by and for African and Native Americans in the late 19th century. No longer an active church, the simple-yet-striking Carpenter Gothic structure is an historic site managed by the Friends of Pleasant Grove, who foster diversity through free cultural events throughout the year, operate the on-site museum, and rent the space. For more information, visit www.historicpleasantgrove.org.