TBT: Flashback of 25 years of Columbia at Night
If you missed the Feb. 27 presentation of Stephen Bybee’s 25-year documentary retrospective of downtown at night, here’s a peek at some of the images he shared at the CoMo Preservation meeting.
He presented to a crowd of about 50 people who often gasped as they saw Stephen’s photographs of now-gone iconic places in downtown Columbia. The Columbia Public Library will host another presentation of his work 6-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. The images will be displayed throughout the library beginning the first week of the month.
At the Feb. 27 event, Stephen explained when he first started taking nighttime photographs of Columbia, the project was for a class he was taking. His goals were to take photographs for the class and to create art. The nighttime aspect came about simply because it fit his school and work schedule. Following the class, Stephen continued taking photographs at night, realizing he enjoyed seeing his photography's archival and preservation aspects.
His work from 1997-2012 spanned a time of significant growth and change downtown and he has images of places now gone or obscured. One example was the Peking restaurant with its signature neon on Ninth Street. The building is now changed beyond recognition.
Throughout the presentation, Stephen would show an image and comment, “That’s not there anymore.”
The images of lost buildings often evoked a guttural, emotional response, along with a sense of gratitude that through Stephen’s photographs we can still see images of a downtown Columbia that no longer exists.
He has had numerous exhibits of his work, the most recent was a two-month showing with fellow photographers Kevin Dingman and Notley Hawkins as part of the “Nocturnal Vision” at the Columbia College Sidney Larson Gallery.
Stephen is the project director for Missouri Conservation Corps, an environmental nonprofit that started two years ago. He also works as the volunteer coordinator for the Food Bank and is the presiding chair of the city’s Historic Preservation Commission and serves on the Columbia Tree Board. He volunteers as an event photographer for the True/False Film Fest, Access Arts School of Service, the Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri, Ragtag Film Society, and the Boone County History & Culture Center.
CoMo Preservation is devoted to helping homeowners, landlords, and institutions prevent the destruction of historic architecture. Original period styles might be replicated, but will forever lack the social history of authentic structures. The preservation of historic places and spaces gives people a sense of place and boosts Columbia’s economy. You can get involved by volunteering, signing up for our mailing list, attending an event, becoming a member or donating.
Questions? Suggestions for speakers or events? Email CoMoPreservation@gmail.com.
