Photographer Mohamed Barre has made an avocation of documenting Somali life in the Twin Cities.

"I want to capture what my community looks like today, so that the next generations, even a hundred years from now, can see how their ancestors looked and what they did when they settled in Minnesota," said Barre, who works as a child-support officer for Hennepin County and has lived in Minnesota since 1998.

He will present a free exhibit of his work Wednesday, which includes more than 50 stills and a limited-edition book of 80 more images.

Many were shot at or near Riverside Plaza, home to a high concentration of Somalis, as well as in mosques and businesses such as halal markets, restaurants, day-care centers and malls. Some of the photos reflect experiences Somalis had for the first time upon arrival in Minnesota -- falling snow and Vikings games among them.

Barre hopes his show will not only inspire an appetite for photographic art among Somalis, but show others that "we're just another family in the neighborhood."

SOMALI PHOTO EXHIBIT

When: 4-9 p.m. Wed.

Where: Bottineau Commons, 1808 University Av. NE., Mpls.

Info: junlay99@aol.com