This is the cover, featuring a photo of photographer/artist Victoria Renard
The cover, featuring photographer Victoria Renard. Alice Wheeler


All I could think was "FINALLY!" when I heard independent art book press Minor Matters was going to publish Alice Wheeler's first hardcover book of photography. Outcasts features famous Northwest characters like musicians Kurt Cobain and Kathleen Hanna, as well as not-so-famous locally iconic characters and scenes.*

From Minor Matters:

Hers are the lesser-seen realities of Seattle’s recent history: not the scrubbed-up coffeehouse earnestness represented in films and sitcoms, but the glory of the drag scene; the devastation of AIDS; the freedom of choice celebrated at Hempfest, gay pride parades, and protest rallies; and yes, a music scene that continues to captivate music lovers internationally.

The book also includes essays by Kathleen Hanna and Seattle author Rebecca Brown.

Like many artists, getting the funds to publish a book isn't easy. Minor Matters has created a copublishing page to preorder the book. Wheeler is close—with 385 copies sold, she's almost to the goal of 500, which will make Outcasts and Innocents a reality.

You can see a slide show of images and order a book here, and/or come tonight to Vermillion Art Gallery for an artist happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m., and check out the book in person.

Something tells me that someone will give a toast (probably me!) to an incredibly inspirational female Northwest photographer, Mary Ellen Mark, who passed away on Monday.

Homeless Camp, Seattle, 1999. Note the Kingdome over Not-Kurts shoulder!
"Homeless Camp, Seattle, 1999." Note the Kingdome over Not-Kurt's shoulder! Alice Wheeler

* Full disclosure: There's a portrait of me included in Outcasts. You should buy the book anyway!