When the Dorchester photographer Mike Ritter set out to capture the neighborhood, he hoped to counter some of the negative headlines by showing the amazing qualities and diversity of its residents. If the opening show at the Strand Theatre last Friday (June 23) was any indication, Ritter did all that and more.

The “Beautiful Dot” program got underway last fall through a grant from the city and support from organizations such as the Dorchester Reporter. With Dieunie Novembre as his assistant, Ritter visited public library branches in the neighborhood, including Grove Hall, Adams Street, Lower Mills, Fields Corner, Uphams Corner, and Codman Square, where he offered free, high-quality portraits of families, individuals, and their pets. In return, they only had to answer what it is that they love about Dorchester and share a little of their personal stories.

Ritter captured more than 8,000 people from the neighborhood with his camera, and came away with a wealth of stories, anecdotes, and love about the neighborhood.

After a show at City Hall in the spring, Ritter will have the “Beautiful Dot” show up at Tte Strand Theatre through July 31. On Friday night, he held a gallery opening show for those who were photographed for the project, and those who wanted to see it.
There were 23 large prints on the walls, and an extensive slide show of some of the other images he took.

“I started out doing this project to counter some of the negative things said about the neighborhood, and to give an honest view at the people who live here,” Ritter said. “The project was so much more than I ever would have imagined.”

The project will be archived by the city once it is taken down, and the prints in the show will be gifted to the subjects.

Dorchester’s Dustin, Rachele, Nellie, and Vera Gardner, who came to enjoy the gallery show, and some chalk art in front of the Strand.

Renee Allen, center, is surrounded by family members who were photographed in Fields Corner last fall as part of the “Beautiful Dot” project. Allen added a quote saying it was time for the neighborhood to seek peace. Pictured, from left, Seneya Mitchell, Faith Mitchell, H. Mitchell-Allen, Renee Allen, and Darryl Allen.

George, George Jr., Ryann, and Julie Deveney were in attendance to see the large photo of George Jr. hanging in the gallery. The family was photographed at the Lower Mills Library. Photos by Seth Daniel