Alfonse Pagano's background has its roots in fine art. a recipient of several grants including the new york foundation for the arts, his mixed media and oil works were exhibited at the carnegie mellon museum of art and the laguna gloria museum of art as well as many galleries throughout the country.after a distin- guished career as a painter he turned to photography as an art form. following an inspired idea, he embarked on a project that took him around the world. the result was a collaborative compilation of images and interviews of people from all walks of life delivering a personal philosophy behind their dreadlocks.in 1994 the photo-documentary book “dreads” was published by artisan/workman. currently in its sixth printing “dreads” has earned both national and internat- ional acclaim, with exhibits at the wadsworth atheneum museum of art, univ- ersity of maryland,paterson museum,stevens institute and recently a subject featured on npr. alfonse is currently working on his second book.