“Behind The Big Top” Artist Reception

*Walk-in gallery visits to The Dark Room are open to the public every Wednesday from 6 – 9 PM during the Wednesday Night Jazz Jam. *Walk-In Gallery Hours at High Low are every day, from 8 AM – 3 PM. Private gallery visits can be made for all galleries by appointment. To make an appointment, and for questions or concerns, please contact [email protected] or (314) 533-0367 ext. 105

Ryan Stanley is part of our 2024-2025 Kranzberg Artist In Residence. Public exhibition hours at the The Dark Room Gallery are every Wednesday from 6 – 9 PM.

Behind the Big Top
By Ryan Stanley

Starting with a simple premise, I began to photograph Circus Flora from start to finish, aiming to capture what makes a circus truly unique. Throughout this process, I encountered some of the most interesting, talented, and friendly people I have ever met. Everyone involved, from the performers and crew to the volunteers, shared a common mission and worked tirelessly to put on the best show possible, all while juggling their family lives. The sense of community at Circus Flora was even stronger than I had anticipated; it truly felt more like a family than just a production. Through these images, my goal is to showcase the hard work that goes into producing a circus, capture the behind-the-scenes moments with the incredible people who bring the show together, and highlight the magical moments that make the circus such an unforgettable experience for so many. After dedicating countless hours to photographing Circus Flora, I started to see the beauty of this event in a whole new light. I hope this series provides a complete picture of Circus Flora, capturing both the lively and quiet moments and reigniting the inner child in all of us. Join me for a behind-the-scenes look at Circus Flora 2024 – Start to Finish

Learn more here!