MIND AND MATTER, the summer exhibition at Photoworks Gallery, introduces four artists in photography who are new (or in one case, returning) to Photoworks faculty. A visit to the show is both an opportunity to encounter a quartet of distinctive visions and to consider the work of four excellent teachers. The show runs from July 17 through September 13, 2010, with a reception on Saturday, July 31 from 5 to 7 pm and a gallery talk on Saturday, September 4. Photoworks Gallery is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, Maryland.

Michael Lang’s images explores the lively yet sensitive atmosphere in “be bar,” a local bar in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, D.C.  His use of available light and slow shutter speeds exaggerate the existing colors in the bar resulting in surreal scenes. Michael has exhibited extensively in the Washington/Baltimore area. In his fall course at Photoworks is Image Sets – Portfolios, Photo Essays and Multi-Media.

Terri Weifenbach’s painterly landscapes of the woods in and around the DC metro area employ color and line to convey the energy of abstract expressionist painting.  All photographs were taken in 2009 and are traditional c-prints. Terri is adjunct professor at both the Corcoran College of Art and Design and American University. Her upcoming Photoworks offerings are Theory and Practice of Color in Photography and Thinking in Book.

Sora DeVore’s black and white photographs are from a fourteen-year long project “The Ramirez Family, Oaxaca, Mexico.” The images reveal personal and intimate moments in the life of this family. She is adjunct professor at the University of Maryland. Returning to Photoworks after a period of travel and career development, Sora teaches Documentary Photo, Beyond the Surface.

Robb Hill’s documentary series of black and white photographs are a record of life in the Chicago neighborhood called Back of the Yards. A busy freelance photographer, Robb has worked for NPR, National Geographic Traveler, US News & World Report, and Boys’ Life among others. He will be sharing aspects of his approach in Street Photography – Shooting Class.

Plan to get to know these four photographers by attending MIND AND MATTER, and watch this website for more information about their outlooks and course offerings, to be featured in an upcoming series of online profiles.

Images: Left to right, photographs by Sora DeVore, Michael Lang, Robb Hill, and Terri Weifenbach.

Among Photoworks most popular offerings are Barbara Maloney‘s regular workshops teaching the Temperaprint process. Temperaprint is a hands-on method that produces unique, vibrantly colored prints using some surprising ingredients — including eggs. Work by some of Barbara’s Photoworks students has just been posted to Alternative Photography, photo artist Malin Fabbri’s authoritative website and one-stop destination for all subjects related to alternative processes in photography. Check it out and watch this website for upcoming information on Barbara’s fall workshops.

Image: “Fire Engines” by Isaac Afrangui

For a listing of summer classes and registration information, click here.

Image by Rebecca Drobis.

Keating is exploring the concept of sanctuary, that personal place of refuge or shelter.  In Sanctuary I,  the ocean and beach are the avenues for expression.  Other bodies of work use early morning walks in the woods as the sanctuary to gather strength and solace for a busy life.  These images use black and white, color, film and digital capture, pigment and darkroom processes as she explores the new technology transitions. Sanctuary explores those places, which give the artist respite, renewal and rejuvenation in our fast paced lives.  Keating lives in Bethesda, Maryland.

Matthews’ series of black and white images were collected during a summer spent visiting carnivals and fairs.  Shot with a plastic toy camera, the resulting images lack the sharp focus of specific time and place and instead become sketches of the carnival environment. Matthews lives in Cheverly, Maryland.

From May 22 to July 6, 2010, Masters Quartet will be on display at the Photoworks Gallery. The show, representing a photographic journey from graduation to today of four classmates who received their Master of Fine Arts degrees from the University of Maryland, features images by Patricia Dalzell, Carol Harrison, Benita Keller and Photoworks faculty member Gayle Rothschild, who also curates the exhibit.

“We each were drawn to the University of Maryland because of its unique master’s program in fine art photography conducted by photographer John Gossage,” writes Gayle in her exhibition statement.  “We knew John’s work and reputation and were eager to study with him.  Our MFA thesis included an exhibition in The Art Gallery at the University, and each of us have included a photograph representative of that earlier time in this exhibition. These vintage prints are visual testimonies of both the changes and consistencies in our photographic concerns since our graduation.

“The idea for this exhibit began soon after graduate school.  After leaving the University, the four of us met over the years to share the triumphs and struggles we experienced as working fine art photographers.  We were “John’s Girls,” respecting our differences, sharing our lives and photographs and always the idea of this show would be a topic of discussion.”

The exhibit opens with a reception on Saturday, May 22, 5 to 7:30pm. A Gallery Talk takes place on Saturday, June 5 from 11am to 1pm. Photoworks Gallery, 7300 MacArthur Blvd, Glen Echo, Maryland.

Pictured:
William Christenberry, 1984, by Patricia Dalzell
Breakfast As Usual, 2010, by Gayle Rothschild
Untitled, 2009, by Carol Harrison
Lindsay With Rabbit, Shepherdstown, WV. 2009, by Benita Keller

Congratulations Award Winners!  The results are in for the Young Photographers 2010 Competition.  Click here to check out this year’s award-winning photographs, or come see all of the photographs selected for this year’s Young Photographers Exhibit at the Photoworks Gallery. The exhibit runs through May 16.  Exhibit hours are Saturdays 1-4 PM, and Sundays & Mondays, 1-8 PM.

Pictured above:

“Closer” (detail)
Charlotte Cutts, Age 17
The Madeira School
First Place Winner
High School Division
Young Photographers Competition 2010

Wow! What a “Cool Night of Jazz” at the 2010 Auction on April 24!  Thanks to all the efforts everyone contributed, we had a wonderful evening.  With a change of venue from our previous Auctions in the Park, one thing stood out visually to me each time I entered a room – community was evident everywhere. From the team work setting up, to serving food, to a different use of our space, everywhere there was a high level of energy and buzz.

The event raised much-needed funds for Photoworks’ community and educational programming and afforded a chance for our family of friends and supporters to reconnect with one another. The Photoworks Board and I join in thanking everyone who took part and the committee that helped to make it a successful event.

Pictured: As MC Frank Van Riper presides, happy raffle participants show off their catches at Auction in the Park: A Night of Jazz, Jambalaya & Photography on April 24. Photo by Judy Goodman.

Mark Power’s lecture at Northern Virginina Community College is back on the calendar for Monday, April 12, 2010 at 7 pm at Northern Virginia Community College-Woodbridge Campus in the campus theater. Mark’s talk was originally scheduled for February, but had to be postponed due to weather and winter illness.

As an instructor, Mark Power puts the focus on his students’ photography. His classes “Beyond the Image” and “Ideas in Contemporary Photography” are among Photoworks’ most popular. Mark was awarded a Franz and Virginia Bader fellowship in 2008. His photographs have been widely exhibited and he has written over one hundred articles, book reviews, book and catalog introductions. The lecture at NOVA offers a chance to hear Mark discuss his own work as he shows his photos and artist’s books. Reception follows in the WA (Photography) building. Parking is available in the campus B lot.
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Image: Double page spread from book, SATX82 by Mark L. Power.

“Summer,” an image by Photoworks board member David Myers, was selected as an Outstanding Achievement in Silhouette by the Black and White Spider Awards. Celebrating its sixth year, this international competition describes itself as “the leading international award honoring black and white photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers in a prestigious annual competition and globally webcast event, reaching photo fans in over 154 countries.” Congratulations, David!

Image: “Summer” by David Myers

EXHIBIT OPENS AT PHOTOWORKS GALLERY FRIDAY, MARCH 19

Skateboarding, ballet, ritual traditions and the devastation of natural disasters are among the topics essayed in Mirror to the World, Photoworks Second Annual group exhibition of documentary photography. Curated by popular Photoworks instructor Frank Van Riper, the show features work by eight DC-area photographers pursuing documentary projects both at home and around the world. The show opens with a reception, 6 to 9 pm on Friday, March 19, and runs through Sunday, April 18, 2010.

Mirror to the World highlights an eclectic mix of images and narrative styles. Timothy Hyde’s striking images focus on natural devastation both here and abroad. Praveen Mantena’s photographs provide a quiet, personal take on a desert purification rite. Sonia Suter brings a tender perspective to a young girl’s trials and triumphs at ballet class. Mark Silva creates an eloquent black and white essay on Easter preparations at a Russian Orthodox Church.
Sean Bowie offers a gritty look at young skateboarders in Baltimore, Jonathan Zuck takes us to the colorful frenzy of open-air markets in Seoul, Korea, Joshua Yospyn features portraits from a Renaissance fair, and Frank Turner captures poignant portraits of the friends and neighbors he loves.

Mirror to the World, an invitational show, debuted last year to highlight the documentary and narrative photography programs at Photoworks, where Van Riper has taught for the past six years. “This year’s exhibit follows in a great tradition,” Van Riper declared, “offering stories of sensitivity and visual texture, and, of course, photographs to linger over.”

Photoworks Gallery is located on the first floor of the Arcade Building, at 7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD.

Image: Seawall Shops, Galveston Island (2008) by Timothy Hyde.