Liz Moskowitz
Liz Moskowitz is a documentary photographer and filmmaker based in Austin, Texas. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NYC she developed a curiosity in creative expression and the human condition early on. She studied English and photojournalism at the University of Texas at Austin, and for over a decade has crafted visual stories for cause-driven clients.
Churches of East Austin
Undoubtedly, churches are a focal point of East Austin's history. As this area of the city undergoes rapid changes to its physical and cultural landscape, the traditional role of churches as the center of community life has shifted. Using medium format film, this project in progress documents the smaller African American churches and congregations in neighborhoods throughout East Austin. These churches embody a culture with a vibrant past, a resilient present, and a potentially tenuous future. They contain a rich heritage and perspective that this project aims to acknowledge and honor.
The churches represent a larger story taking place, one of rapid development and displacement, cultural preservation, and a growing city primarily focused on the future. As with most photo projects, there are many intricate layers, both seen and unseen, and my hope is to respectfully document what came before and is today.
“East Austin is only East Austin for its history, and churches tell its story.”
The project was awarded a grant by the Dallas Museum of Art and several of the images are now a part of the Wittliff Collections at Texas State University. The Austin American-Statesman published a full spread feature of select images in its Arts section, and the nonprofits Six Square and Preservation Austin hosted a solo exhibit and community event for the project.