On Sunday evening, Featherstone Center for the Arts hosted its 15th anniversary photo salon to celebrate Island photographers. Over the last 15 years, the Tuesday night salon has hosted 61 artists, 30 of whom were included in the anniversary celebration.
The show was curated by photographer Michael Johnson, who started the salon alongside Featherstone executive director Ann Smith in 2011.
“It’s a learning crowd, a really supportive group of people who are anxious to learn from one another,” Ms. Smith said. “I think the whole salon concept is so wonderful and accessible. I really want us to continue for another 15 years.”
Mr. Johnson said the original idea behind starting the salons was the create a collaborative space.
“The mindset is to create community,” he said. “Featherstone has access to this place and gives the opportunity to give back and share art with the community. That’s basically what they do, and that’s what I do. Everywhere I can share art with people and inspire people, I try to.”
Mr. Johnson, who had two of his own photographs on display, said he appreciates how the legacy of the salon over 15 years has progressed.
“The wonderful part of it is to see people who have been involved in the salon as presenters and in the audience, because they come and see other people to develop their art. And that really was the goal of this from day one. To make this a little stew pot,” he said.
That stew pot included artists who each brought their unique styles to the gallery walls. Attendee Lynn Vera said this variety was her favorite part of the show.
“I just am blown away. I’m blown away by the diversity of skill and diversity of subject matter,” she said.
L.A. Brown had two pieces displayed from her recent series titled Gone, which focuses on photographing properties and buildings on the Island before they get torn down.
“I’ve been photographing places on the Vineyard since I was 15,” she said. “I’m 62 now, so those places have a heart connection to me, almost like people. The shingles, the old wood, the doors falling off, and the fact that everybody is building something new but not necessarily keeping the old intention....that’s what draws me to finding the things that are no longer.”
On the other side of the gallery, Michael Stimola had two pieces on display, one of which was entitled Tashmoo Opening. The cyanotype abstract was filled with blues and greens spread throughout the frame. Mr. Stimola said he used chemistry, sunlight, Tashmoo salt water, sediment and algae to create the patterns and textures.
“It’s a way for me to remind myself that we interact with the waters on the Island unconsciously all the time,” he said. “Sometimes even to the detriment of the water.”
Mr. Stimola said he is always looking for ways to try new methods.
“As a person that’s older than a lot of people, I don’t believe in the notion that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. If it excites me like this process, why not try it,” he said. “I just keep discovering new things that interest me and then off I go.”
The exhibit continues through July 19.
Comments
Comment policy »