Photographer Michael Murphy is shedding a different light on the pandemic experience through an exhibit of slice-of-life portraits currently on display at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale. “The Front Porch Project,” a walk-through retrospective in the space across from Altar’d State, next to Swarovski, includes 32 canvas-style pictures that spotlight Fort Lauderdale leaders and community members on their porches, in their yards or at their place of business over the past several months.

“The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale is honored to host this artistic display celebrating community spirit and goodwill during the COVID-19 quarantine,” said Melissa Milroy, senior marketing manager of The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale. “We salute Michael Murphy for his initiative, inspiration and artistic lens reminding us of the fragility of life and why we need to celebrate and cherish these candid at-home moments.”

Subjects include Lisa Scott Founds, CEO of Winterfest; Kim Vassar, vice president of philanthropy at Arc Broward; Jessica Kersey Rodriguez, director of major gifts at South Florida PBS; Alan Goldstein and Robert Hughes of Over the Top; Wilton Manors City Commissioners Scott Newton and Paul Rolli and several others.

“As an artist and photographer, it was important for me to document these real, true moments of our community as we stood separate, yet united, to combat the largest health crisis in modern day society,” Murphy said. “As we slowly reintegrate and resume the ‘new normal’ activities, it’s critical for us to be reminded of the immeasurable value of family and friends.”