Sean McKernan from Belfast, Ireland, a social documentary photographer, visited Salida to showcase his work and share Belfast history June 2 at A Church. His presentation was called “From Conflict to Peace: A 45-Year Photographic Retrospective of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.” His exhibition was first shown in 1983.

At age 16, McKernan became a social documentary photographer in West Belfast, where he was born. “Belfast is a divided city religion-wise,” he said, with the Catholics primarily in the north in conflict with the Protestants who desire a British government. This presentation, he said, gives him the chance to explain how Belfast has changed from a “dark time of troubles.”

“I’m looking forward to encouraging people to have a better understanding of Belfast and encouraging them to live there,” he said. There is a big connection with Salida to Belfast through Salida Circus, he said, and the Salida and Belfast circuses have now done several exchanges since 2007. Jennifer Dempsey, founder of Salida Circus, worked with McKernan 35 years ago at Belfast Exposed Photography.

Dempsey said the event’s purpose was “to continue the relationship … and to offer a unique perspective of an ongoing conflict ‘resolved.’” The Belfast Circus will be coming to Salida in 2025, she said, and they will be looking for hosts.

McKernan said, “What I like about Salida is it’s a small town, it’s full of creative artistic people, it’s very tolerant. There’s no religious debate and nobody’s judgmental,” he said. Culture Ireland supported McKernan’s trip to Salida.