Downs & Towns Photography Art Show

View Houston's works in the Burlington Branch Library meeting room gallery during regular hours.

Houston Vandergriff is a travel photographer. Houston has a simple vision with his photography: Make the world a better place.

Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, he has traveled far and wide and hopes his photographs will inspire others to live life to the fullest and to live life with compassion.

When Houston was born every doctor that appeared had to tell his parents worse and worse news: unable to breath, jaundice, low muscle tone, hole in his heart, open heart surgery, Down syndrome. Each specialist cited their own long list of things he might never do. Defying all dire predictions, today Houston is a globe-trotting travel photographer! By the age of 28 he has travelled to all 95 counties in his home state of Tennessee, to all 50 United States, to 6 Canadian provinces, and to 32 countries.

Because of the low muscle tone from Down syndrome, his speech is sometimes difficult to understand. Through his photography, he is able to share his view of the world—without actually saying a word. Houston inspires others, both inside and outside of the disability community. He is a strong self-advocate who uses the universal language of the arts to push for inclusion. By sharing his gift of photography he is also sharing the gift of hope - the hope of knowing that everything is going to be ok. He also wants to help those who do not have the opportunity to visit the places he photographs to be able to experience them.

www.downsandtowns.com