Lakeland photographer Craig Collins is bringing a poignant new exhibit to Temple Emanuel in Lakeland, shifting his typical focus from nature and landscapes to a deeply moving historical subject.
The exhibit, titled “Echoes from the Ashes: A Voice Remains,” is designed to spark civil discourse and ensure that the memory of the Holocaust is preserved for future generations, especially as the number of living survivors dwindles.
Event Details
- Location: Temple Emanuel, 600 Lake Hollingsworth Dr, Lakeland, FL.
- Exhibition Dates: April 15 – May 30, 2026.
- Opening Reception: Wednesday, April 15, 2026.
- Content: A curated collection of photographs capturing the resilient and somber spirit of Holocaust victims and survivors.
Collins has stated that his goal for the project is to “give a voice to those who perished and honor the strength of those who endured.” This local showcase provides a unique opportunity for the Polk County community to engage with history through a personal, artistic lens.
(Visited 157 times, 1 visits today)
Spectacular, and appreciated. People should never forget.
My grandma’s sister’s son was in the Danish Resistance. They caught him out on a mission to blow up a train. They put him in prison and scheduled his execution. His mom and entire family tried and tried to convince them not to do it, but no. On the day of the execution, he walked out and took off his sweater, and said, “No German bullet will defile this sweater that my mom made me.” Poul Sorrensen, he was the first member of the Danish Resistance to be executed. His mom went crazy after that too, just another WWII victim.
My granddad’s brother Arle, he and another guy escaped from Denmark during WWII. They stockpiled gasoline, then one day, went further and further out fishing, until they turned for England. They didn’t get there immediately though, the ship died in the North Sea. They drifted for numerous days. The other guy pretty much went crazy. When they did finally drift over to England, they threw both of them in jail, because they didn’t believe the story. My great-uncle went on to become a Merchant Marine. He also stopped back in Denmark after the war to visit the guy who sold him the watered-down gasoline. That guy ended up one punch away from death.