Home / Health / Exhibit Fights for Breath Against Silica
Exhibit Fights for Breath Against Silica
22 Jun
Summary
- Exhibit traces toxic legacy of silica dust from Hawks Nest to Black Lung.
- Photographers document generational struggle against industrial disease.
- Exhibit aims to spark conversation and call to action for miners' health.
The West Virginia Mine Wars Museum is now showcasing a powerful new exhibit titled "Entirely Preventable: The Toxic Legacy of Silica Dust from Hawks Nest to Black Lung." This exhibition presents a visual history of a devastating disease prevalent in coal mining communities.
Curated by Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Stacy Kranitz, the exhibit features the works of Kranitz, Raymond Thompson Jr., and Earl Dotter. It visually documents what is described as one of America's most severe industrial medical disasters. The photographs trace a persistent struggle by workers to bring visibility to an avoidable illness.
The exhibit begins its narrative with the Hawk's Nest Disaster of the 1930s, followed by Earl Dotter's documentation of the initial Black Lung movement in the 1970s. Stacy Kranitz's contemporary work brings the ongoing fight to the present day. Museum officials hope the exhibit will encourage dialogue and galvanize support for those affected.
A reception is scheduled for Saturday, June 20, 2026, featuring live music and discussions with advocates for black lung protection and benefits. The goal is to inspire action for friends, families, and communities battling for their health.
