Library Exhibit Focused on French Buckaroos May 9-July 31

A new exhibit opening May 9 at Burton Barr Central Library, 1221 North Central Ave., will give visitors an inside look at a centuries-old cowboy culture in France.

“Gardians of the Camargue: The French Buckaroo Tradition” will be on display through July 31 at Burton Barr Central Library, second floor. This free traveling exhibit features 69 framed photographs and artifacts depicting the culture of the Gardians of the Camargue.

The exhibit features the black-and-white photography of Kevin Martini-Fuller, the color photography of Lorraine d’ Entremont Rawls, the interpretive paintings of Karen Foster-Wells, along with tools and clothing unique to the Camargue region.

In a small area of southern France called the Camargue, there are cowboys or “gardians” not unlike Arizona’s own. The Brotherhood of the Gardians dates back to 1512.  In 1905, this culture was revived by French writer and rancher Folo de Baroncelli.  He was inspired by seeing Buffalo Bill Cody’s Wild West Show in Paris.

Phoenix Public Library is a system of 14 branch libraries and the Burton Barr Central Library.  For more information, call 602-262-4636 or visit phoenixpubliclibrary.org.