SAN MARCOS —— The Kellogg Library at Cal State San Marcos has become the temporary home of a photo exhibit by a San Diego-based photographer who spent eight months documenting the lives and jobs of local migrant workers.

Leland Foerster's project, "Taking the Early Bus," is part of the university's Context series and is made up of 24 candid black and white images depicting the working and social lives of migrants. The photos range from a shot of a woman sorting linen at an industrial laundry to a man writing on a white board as he practices his English at MiraCosta College. Another shows a group of women preparing tamales for the celebration of La Virgin de Guadalupe.

Foerster, 62, said the intent of the project is to expose the community at large to different aspects of the Latino culture, and to create a realization that these people make up an important part of the workforce in Southern California.

He said he hopes that individuals who view the exhibit will gain a greater respect and appreciation for the contributions of Latino migrants and immigrants.

"From a humanistic point of view, I think these people who work in our society are invisible," Foerster said.

He said Latino immigrants and migrants are often blamed for the ills of society and blamed for abusing our social services. However, without their assistance many businesses would struggle without the benefit of cheap labor, he said.

The majority of the photographs were taken in Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista from July 2002 through February 2003.

"I see this as a community dialogue and an exhibit that will shine some light on a controversial subject," Foerster said. "I see my photography as a way to improve the human condition."

Foerster said he got the name for his project from a speech Jesse Jackson gave during President Bill Clinton's first term.

"Jackson used the refrain about the people who needed the attention of the delegates at the convention. ëThe people who made your bed, cooked your dinner, etc. They take the early bus,'" Foerster said.

The son of an itinerant worker, Foerster said he is sympathetic to the Latino migrant's way of life. Foerster added that he has familial connections to the Latino culture through daughter and son-in laws who are Latino. He also spent four years in Columbia with the Peace Corps.

The exhibit, which is on display on the third floor of the Kellogg Library, was made possible in part by North County Health Services, which caters to many Latinos in the area, said Melanie Chu, the outreach/multi-cultural librarian who also coordinates the Context series.

The health organization is co-sponsoring an artist's reception on May 19 for the exhibit.

The Context series brings exhibits, events and programming to students beyond the classroom and is made up of several works including Foerster's "Taking the Early Bus."

Like other exhibits from the Context series, Chu said she hopes Foerster's photographs will compliment student learning at the university, while giving them another view point about the polarizing subject.

"Hopefully it will create an awareness of the local community around us," Chu said. "They are integrated into our economy yet they are invisible —— I hope that is something the exhibit can bring awareness to."

Installed on April 25, the exhibit will remain at the school until mid-August.

The formal artist's reception in May will include a presentation by Foerster. It is free and open to the public.

For more information about the exhibit or the artist's reception, call (760)-750-4340 or visit www.library.csusm.edu.