Rich Copley - photographer

10/07/2026

In One A-Chord: Lexington Sacred Music Festival

10/05/2026

Like a lot of people around Lexington, I was thrilled to hear PRHBTN mural season is back and even more excited when Undermain accepted my pitch to write about where the event had been and where it's going. It was great to sit down with John, Jessica, Alexandrea, and Geoff to hear the story behind PRHBTN and how mural season is coming back and reflect back on the first years, many of which I covered for the Herald-Leader. Now it's time for the painting to start and see what the six new PRHBTN artists will add to our visual landscape. The story link is in the comments.

10/04/2026

This weekend ActOut Theatre of Lexington opened its new production of Paul Rudnick's "Jeffrey," a romantic comedy about AIDS. Yep. As Drew Barr writes in Undermain (I'll link in the comments), the play was considered virtually unstageable when it was written in 1992, and you can see why as the title character is gripped by fear that gripped the LGBTQIA+ community and much of the world in the '80s and '90s as contracting the HIV virus was basically a death sentence. The pathos is there, along with the longing for connection and a laugh-to-keep-from-crying sensibility that pervades much of the show and numerous farcical scenarious presented by a deeply committed and brave cast. It's two bona fide leading men and a supporting crew that is a scream, all crafted by Sherry Jackson with some really cool visuals by Tom Willis. I can't wait to see it as an audience member next weekend. (Go to ActOut Theatre Group, Inc.'s page for ticket info.)

09/11/2026

09/09/2026

It was an honor to photograph Bishop Budde and while doing so hear her wise words at the AI & Church Summit in Nashville.

07/12/2026

A few from the day job: For 11 days in late June and early July I had the blessing of being part of the photo team documenting the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Milwaukee. It was several days of mostly-virtual committee meetings followed by an in-person assembly comprising more than 1,000 people. 14-hour days, tight deadlines (sneaking in peeks at the World Cup, when we could), great colleagues, and wonderful story sharing. I got home exhausted, and excited to do it all again in two years in San Juan! 🇵🇷

07/10/2026

It's opening night for ActOut Theatre Group, Inc.'s production of Harvey Fierstein's "Casa Valentina" directed by Drew Barr, the same director who brought you last year's "Angels in America" epics. This is another tremendous show with several Lexington stage veterans performing at the tops of their games, and a few performers who were new to me hanging with them. It's a riveting show I look forward to seeing when I can focus on it without thinking about angles and exposures. Runs this weekend and next at the Pam Miller Arts Center.

07/07/2026

Walter is still writing! Check out his preview of ActOut Theatre Group, Inc.'s production of Harvey Fierstein's "Casa Valentina" for Undermain. Happy to contribute a few photos I took for ActOut at a recent rehearsal to the effort along with images by Chris Begley. The show opens Friday, directed by Drew Barr, the same director who led last year's epic "Angels in America" productions.
https://undermainarts.org/casa-valentina-preview

07/07/2026

The Fayette County Democratic Party doing up the Fourth right, hosting the Declaration of Independence reading at the Courthouse and marching the parade!

05/23/2026

Last weekend, I had the unexpected joy of photographing the spring recital for Wildwood Music Therapy, which does include my daughter among its music therapists. It was an uplifting afternoon seeing the clients present their performances with pride and the care all the therapists took in guiding them.