Exploring transportation, then and now, in Going Places

Marla Puziss highlights Hapeville’s transportation history in her new photography exhibition.

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Hapeville’s ties with transportation are strong. The railroad once passed the now-renovated Hapeville Depot on a regular basis and now, the world’s busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airpot, and Delta’s Corporate Headquarters are stationed nearby. Let’s not forget the now-closed Ford Assembly Plant. Now, Porsche moved its headquarters there. 

“Hapeville is one of the small railroad towns for the historic rail line that cuts through the middle of town,” photographer Marla Puziss says. “In fact, I was just listening to the sound of the train whistle, I can hear it from my house.” In her exhibition, Going Places, she taps into that rich history.

Housed in the Hapeville Depot, Puziss’ exhibition displays glimpses of her travels in the last few years, both domestic and abroad, with subjects that relate back to Hapeville’s own history. “Given Hapeville’s history as being very central to transportation, I thought it would be nice to focus on images of travel, different modes of transportation, and movement,” Puziss says.

Among the subjects of her photographs, you can find an ice-cream cart in Puerto Rico, a couple dining al fresco in Barcelona near a parking lot, ballet dancers twirling in Oakland Cemetery, scenes from New England, and Hapeville’s own Hub Cap Daddy. “I love traveling in the Southeast,” Puziss says. “I enjoy photographing rural areas and old cemeteries.” She also has a penchant for black and white photography. 

Puziss began showing photography about six years ago and has exhibited her work at various venues, including the Arts Clayton Gallery and PB&G Gallery in Kirkwood. Her main gig might surprise you: she’s been a microbiologist at Grady Hospital for 26 years.

The Atlanta-based photographer has called Hapeville home since 1989 and hopes to explore the world more once she retires.

Check out Going Places opening reception at 6 p.m. on Sat., Mar. 26, at the Arts Alliance Gallery at the Hapeville Depot.