Award-winning photographer to speak in Coeur d'Alene

John Noltner, an award-winning photographer and author known for his multimedia project A Peace of My Mind, will serve as the keynote speaker at the Weaver Awards celebration on Wednesday at the Hagadone Event Center.

Noltner has spent years traveling the country with exhibits that collect personal stories of courage, grace and resilience. Through portraits and narratives, the project explores themes of building community and bridging divides. 

“In a world that asks us to focus on the things that can separate us, A Peace of My Mind invites us to explore the common humanity that connects us,” Noltner said in a press release. 

In addition to his keynote, Noltner will offer two on-site “pop-up studio” sessions at the event center. Participants will share responses to the question “How do you weave connections in your community?” The sessions aim to gather about 75 local stories that will be woven into a video for future use.

Since 2009, Noltner has asked people across the United States, “What does peace mean to you?” He has driven more than 40,000 miles, photographing and recording stories from Holocaust survivors, refugees, veterans and others. 

His work has appeared in national publications including National Geographic Traveler, and the project has been presented at venues such as the Nobel Peace Prize Forum and the National Civil Rights Museum.

The first studio session runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Doors open at 11 a.m., with lunch and the program scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. A second studio session follows from 1:15 to 3 p.m. 

The Weaver Awards event highlights community connection through storytelling and art. Those interested in participating in the pop-up studio or attending the luncheon are encouraged to register in advance.

Registration for the pop-up studio and luncheon is $35 and available at goinnovia.org/weave-26.