In the hills of West Virginia lives the last of a small community of Serpent Handlers abiding to the word of God. A family of faith that lives under a doctrine not commonly seen today. This is the last state where this practice is legal and there are less than 15 members remaining.
For one month in 2010 I was taken in by the congregation, granted access to live with them and document their way of life. Serpent Handling is an old time religion that is rapidly fading away. It is a world not typically seen, yet often misunderstood and misrepresented. In these services I documented their miracles of healing, handling serpents, and drinking strychnine poison.
I'm now in the process of completing a book that shares their story filled with the photographs, writing, Super 8 footage and audio recordings of their church services. I need to generate $12,000.00 in order to meet the production and publication deadlines for the book, "A Testimony of Serpent Handling". Any funds raised over the amount needed will go directly to the costs of the opening reception and book release at MILK Gallery, NYC.
This is an historical document which with your support can help ensure that their way of life will be remembered.
Thank you very much for your support,
Hunter Barnes
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- (30 days)