Local notes
By Admin in Printmaking

MADISON (WKOW) — Downtown Madison is seeing some extra traffic this weekend as people head to Art Fair on the Square.
“This is a great way to kind of meet the people that are collecting your art,” artist Hannah Stelter said.
“Every weekend in the summertime, I drive to festivals like this,” Stelter said. “So, this was an eight-hour drive for me. I’m going to a show in Washington, I’ve been to one in D.C. this summer. And it helps me reach people all across the U.S. who maybe don’t use social media or who prefer to see my art in person.”
Stelter, a North Dakota based artist, focuses on body positive art.
“The mission behind my artwork is body positivity and self-love and just encouraging people to embrace who they are by turning them into a piece of artwork,” Stelter said. “But I’m not really turning them into a piece of artwork, because they already are one.”
Stelter says she’s had experiences at art shows before where someone will see a piece that reminds them of their own body, and they’re overcome with emotion.
“It’s that moment when you know they feel the effects of the piece,” Stelter said. “The piece that is meant to help people embrace themselves and love themselves a bit more.”
Artists on the square say the best way to spread their name and share their art is by coming to shows like this.
“A big way, I think, to get out in front of people is to do art fairs,” jewelry artist Steve Mitchell said. “Give a lot of cards away, that’s the networking.”
Mitchell, an Iowa native, started turning rocks and silver into unique pendants, rings, bracelets and more when his wife saw a piece of jewelry in the store and said, “you can make that for me!”
“I said, ‘I have no idea,” Mitchell said. “So, she signed me up for a jewelry class at a local art studio…and here we are.”
Mitchell says not only are art shows good for artists. They’re good for the communities that host them.
“There’s dollars being spent in town, not just the art show,” Mitchell said. “There’s 400 and some artists here that are staying in motels and eating food and that kind of stuff. So, it’s good for the community too.”
Artists are all at their own booths, so if you see something that catches your eye, you can speak to the creator yourself.
“You have some amazing talent and there’s people from all over the U.S. who are here. You get to see some really cool, unique things,” Stelter said.
27 news is a proud sponsor of Art Fair on the Square. Members of the news team will be at our booth just outside the capitol on the state street corner all weekend.
By Admin in Photography
The BC SPCA has announced the winners of its 15th annual Wildlife-in-Focus Photography contest, with a third-place finish going to Squamish’s Sebastien Nadeau.
The contest had two categories plus a People’s Choice Award. The categories this year were ‘Backyard Habitats’ and ‘Wild Settings.’ Nadeau earned third place in the ‘Wild Settings’ category with an up-close view of a grizzly bear.
“With more than 500 photos submitted, choosing the top picks was a challenge for the contest judges,” said Andrea Wallace, the BC SPCA’s manager of wild animal welfare, in a news release sent out July 7.
“We want to thank all the participants for sharing their amazing photos of B.C.’s diverse wildlife and helping to raise $10,981 to help BC SPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre care for injured and orphaned wild animals.”
The winners, their origin, and the animal they captured, are listed below.
Backyard Habitats:
Wild Settings:
People’s Choice Award:
The contest for 2024 will open in May. View more honourable mentions of submitted photographs at spca.bc.ca/wildlife-in-focus.
By Admin in Photography
Sam Mooney’s mum describes his intellectual disability as a “superpower”, and his photography certainly reflects his great potential.
Now thanks to community connectedness and an incredible act of kindness, the 18-year-old from The Gap in Brisbane can achieve his creative goals after being gifted some much-needed camera equipment.
It began in the midst of the pandemic, when Mr Mooney set himself a challenge to draw – either digitally or by hand with pencils – every day for a month.
When he shared some of that work on social media, he received plenty of praise and support.
That led him to photography, and Mr Mooney says he hasn’t looked back.
“In 2021, I was bored one day, and I decided to take some random photos of things that I thought would be interesting,” he said.
“The rest is history.”
When his mum, Jane Mooney, later asked if he’d be interested in taking a class with Brisbane photographer Colin Bushell, Mr Mooney leapt at the opportunity.
“Colin is brilliant, really lovely, and [there’s a] connection between him and Sam because they’re both big community [contributors] at that local, grassroots level,” Jane said.
Mr Mooney is currently involved in an inclusive sport and recreation reference group for the NDIS, which he was selected for as a result of that commitment to the community, as well as his passion for sport.
Mr Mooney’s carer, who also shares a love of photography, was just as excited to tag along for the recent workshop.
“It was extraordinary, learning all about the different [camera] settings and filters you can do,” Mr Mooney said.
Mr Bushell has lived in Australia for 25 years, but his love of photography has led to a range of experiences – working with people of all ages and abilities – both here and in London.
“Now I’m in a position to give back to those who haven’t had the opportunities I’ve had,” he said.
“I want people to learn from what I know, then take it in their own direction.”
Mr Bushell is passionate about helping budding artists as president of The Gap Creative, and through workshops that help amateur snappers refine their skills.
It was through one of these workshops, which focused on smartphone photography, that Mr Bushell first met Mr Mooney.
“Sam was really enthusiastic and keen to learn,” Mr Bushell recalled.
“You don’t have to go out and win photography contests [to feel] the absolute glow, the warmth, that’s felt on that community level,” Jane said of Mr Bushell’s workshop.
Just days after the workshop, during a workforce capability exercise at Jigsaw – a Brisbane organisation aimed at helping people living with disability achieve their employment goals – Mr Mooney was asked where he saw himself in the future.
“I see myself getting better and better at taking photos of scenery,” Mr Mooney answered.
There was just one problem, he didn’t have any equipment other than his phone.
So when another Queensland photographer passed away, and Mr Bushell learned the family wanted his photography equipment go to a worthy home, Mr Bushell immediately thought of Mr Mooney.
“A little spark went off in my head,” Mr Bushell said.
He picked up the equipment and met with Sam and Jane to pass on the gift.
“It was a very emotional, and fun, thing to do,” Mr Bushell recalled.
“Sam was beside himself.”
“I felt very, very shocked,” Mr Mooney said.
He’s been testing the camera out at home, taking photos around the house and of the family dog.
“It’s quite overwhelming, we were nearly going to take it [outdoors] yesterday but it’s just so special,” Ms Mooney said of the professional equipment.
Mr Bushell will be meeting with Mr Mooney again soon, helping the teen reach his full potential with the new gear.
Once he’s more comfortable with the camera, he and Ms Mooney plan to take it out and explore the region’s natural beauty.
“It’ll be great to get all the detail [on subjects] like tree bark,” Mr Mooney said.
“Colin told us about a reservoir, near where we live, where a koala lives. He said the camera will be fantastic if we spot the koala. There’s lots of good birds around there too,” Ms Mooney added.
Mr Mooney also has a passion for the Broncos and Ms Mooney says he would make a great sports photographer.
He currently plays Rugby 7s in the GPS All Abilities Program, and can see himself working for the Ashgrove club one day.
“I could end up doing photography for [GPS],” Mr Mooney said.
“The sky is the limit,” his mum agreed.
By Admin in Photography
Landscape photography is a captivating art form that allows us to unveil the extraordinary beauty of our planet. From towering mountains and serene lakes to vast deserts and lush forests, the diversity of Earth’s landscapes provides an endless array of subjects for photographers to explore. In this article, we will delve into the world of landscape photography, discussing techniques, equipment, and the essence of capturing the awe-inspiring beauty of our planet through the lens.

Our planet is a treasure trove of natural wonders, each with its unique charm and character. From the rugged landscapes of the American Southwest to the ethereal beauty of the Northern Lights in the Arctic Circle, every corner of the Earth offers a distinct opportunity for photographers to witness and capture nature’s grandeur. Whether you are drawn to the vastness of canyons or the delicate intricacy of flower fields, landscape photography enables us to celebrate and share the wonders of our planet. Here in Ireland, we may not have the deserts or the rain forests, but we do have a wild coastline along the west that continues to evolve and offer many new compositions with every visit. This can be the same for your home country, you may not even need to travel far to witness them.

While having high-end camera gear can enhance the technical quality of your images, it is not a prerequisite for capturing the essence of Earth’s landscapes. Many photographers create remarkable photographs with entry-level cameras or even smartphones. The key lies in understanding your equipment, maximizing its potential, and harnessing your creative vision. So, whether you have a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or a smartphone, there are opportunities aplenty to create stunning landscape images. Practice, practice, and practice some more, understand what each setting does, and how shutter speeds can totally change a scene, even before you head out into the wilderness, this way you will have a better experience, fewer frustrations, and potentially more great shots.
Composition plays a vital role in landscape photography. It involves arranging elements within the frame to create a visually pleasing and balanced image. The rule of thirds, leading lines, and foreground interest are compositional techniques that can bring depth and visual impact to your photographs. Experimenting with different perspectives, such as shooting from low angles or seeking elevated viewpoints, adds a unique dimension to your images, allowing viewers to experience landscapes from fresh and intriguing angles.

Light is the lifeblood of photography, and in landscape photography, it can make all the difference. The quality and direction of light transform the mood and atmosphere of a scene. The soft, warm light of sunrise and sunset, known as the golden hour, casts a magical glow on landscapes, while the dramatic lighting of stormy weather can create a moody and awe-inspiring ambience. Understanding how to use and manipulate light is crucial for capturing the true essence and beauty of Earth’s landscapes. You may not get the light you desire on your first or even tenth outing, but with patience and determination, the light will eventually come, and then, it is all worthwhile.
Landscape photography often requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to wait for the perfect moment. Nature’s splendor unfolds in its own time, and being prepared to seize those fleeting moments is key. Whether it’s waking up before dawn to witness the first light breaking over a mountain range or enduring long exposures to capture the movement of waves crashing against the shore, the pursuit of the perfect moment is what sets extraordinary landscape photographs apart.

Post-processing is an essential part of the landscape photography workflow. Editing software such as Adobe Lightroom or Capture One enables you to enhance colors, adjust exposure, and fine-tune your images to reflect your artistic vision. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance and avoid over-editing. The goal should be to enhance the natural beauty of the landscape while maintaining its authenticity and integrity. Remember, the sliders aren’t really designed to go to 100. Less is more.
Landscape photography is an immersive journey that allows us to connect with the awe-inspiring beauty of our planet. Through composition, perspective, and the mastery of light, we can capture and unveil Earth’s wonders. Armed with the right equipment, a keen eye, and a willingness to explore, we have the opportunity to create images that transport viewers to the breathtaking landscapes that grace our planet. The more you go out and practice, the better you will become, the first step to mastering landscape photography is to actually take that first step and head out into the wilderness.
So, venture forth with your camera in hand, and immerse yourself in nature’s splendor.
What are your thoughts on this topic? Let’s continue the conversation below.
By Admin in Art World News
One thing the 2023 Denver mayoral election was not was a referendum on the arts. Of all the contentious issues that came up during the campaign ranging from encampments to armed officers in schools, support for the arts came up, well … never. Denver is lucky that way. Outgoing Mayor Michael Hancock will be remembered as a champion of the arts, and incoming Mayor Mike Johnston made it perfectly plain in his platform that’s not going to change.
“To encourage the growth of our arts scene, we need to make deliberate and purposeful decisions to make Denver one of the art centers of America,” Johnston said.
Johnston inherits a city with a vibrant creative industry that supports nearly 100,000 jobs, mostly concentrated in the music, theater, dance and visual-arts space. But Johnston would be the first to point out that while creative jobs in Denver have jumped nearly 29% over the past decade, the average price of rent in the metro area nearly doubled. And that’s discouraging artists from moving into – or staying in – the city.
Denver Mayor-elect Mike Johnston, shown speaking onstage during Denver’s Independence Eve celebration on Monday, July 3, 2023, at Civic Center Park, has made the arts a centerpiece of his platform.
To combat that, Johnston’s platform included a promise to create a physical campus to house a permanent Artists-in-Residence program. Up to 10 artists would receive a two-year fellowship that includes housing, stipends, materials and studio space with the charge, Johnston said, “to create beautiful art that inspires the city.”
It’s an ambitious, $10 million program Johnston thinks can be paid for from philanthropic sources or as an in-kind land contribution from community leaders.
The fellowship idea would essentially be an expansion of the groundbreaking artist residency program at the RedLine Contemporary Arts Center partly funded by the city. This one would expand the kinds of eligible artists to include more disciplines.
Each artist’s fellowship would culminate in a public showing of some kind. For a visual artist, that might mean the unveiling of a large-scale mural. For a playwright, that might mean the mounting of a world-premiere production. For a filmmaker, that might mean resources and a debut screening. Along the way, all selected artists would be expected to engage with students at local public schools to help communicate the importance of the arts from an early age.
“The City of Denver will serve as these artists’ gallery; making the city a more vibrant, colorful locale,” Johnston said.
Crowds enjoy the Five Points Jazz Festival and Parade on Welton Street in downtown Denver on Jun 4, 2022.
If it happens, this fellowship program would fall under the direction of Denver Arts & Venues, which acts both as a marketing agency to promote the economic vitality of the arts, while also managing big-time city-owned venues including Red Rocks, the Denver Coliseum, the Colorado Convention Center, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, the McNichols Civic Center Building, the Studio Loft above the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and, once it is refurbished and reopened in 2026, the May Bonfils Stanton Theater and Library on the former Loretto Heights College campus. Arts & Venues also oversees the city’s public-art program, runs selected events like the Five Points Jazz Festival, and updates and implements the city’s overall cultural strategy plan.
It is, by most any account, one of the most accomplished and well-run departments in Denver city government. So why are those responsible for making Denver such a friendly arts city over these past 12 years nervous?
ginger-white-brunetti
Because, as part of Johnston’s announced commitment to transparency, equity and transformation, he’s appointed a massive transition committee called “Vibrant Denver” that is tasked with reconsidering not only the direction every major city department should go, but the people currently running them.
In all, Johnston has appointed a whopping 28 different transition committees overseeing all of the city’s existing departments and agencies. Which means, a lot of livelihoods are at stake.
All of which puts Denver Arts & Venues Executive Director Ginger White Brunetti in the awkward but potentially constructive position of having to reapply for a job she was promoted into back in 2018, after joining the department in 2005. And at a time when there has been no significant call for a major change from the policies of the outgoing mayor – at least when it comes to the arts.
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Nevertheless, an entire committee has been formed, in part to vet the field of candidates to be the next Arts & Venues Executive Director. White Brunetti is keeping understandably quiet about the whole process, except to say that she has applied. Anyone is free to do so through Monday. With a published salary range of $125,000-$213,000, the opening is sure to attract a quality field of national candidates. And to be clear: No one is picking on Arts & Venues here. In all, 35 big-time city jobs are up for grabs, from Chief Operating Officer to City Attorney to Neighborhood Outreach Liaison.
The overall transition committee is being led by some seriously heavy hitters, including former Mayor Federico Peña, former Denver Post editor Gregory Moore, state Sen. Julie Gonzales and state Rep. Leslie Herod.
Nora Abrams and Stephen Brackett
The Arts & Venues committee is being co-chaired by Nora Abrams, Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, and Stephen Brackett, co-founder of Youth on Record, member of the band Flobots and former Music Ambassador for the State of Colorado. Public input will be welcomed at a committee meeting from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, July 14, at the McNichols Building in Civic Center Park.
In 2021, Denver voters approved $30 million to restore and reopen the iconic May Bonfils Stanton Theater on the former Loretto Heights College campus in southwest Denver.
Courtesy of Keen Independent
Arts & Venues has compiled an impressive list of accomplishments over the past 12 years, including opening the McNichols Building as an affordable cultural hub. Also:
• Voter approval of the $30 million restoration of Loretto Heights, which will make it the first real cultural center for southwest Denver when it opens in 2025.
• During the pandemic shutdown, Arts & Venues transformed into a major relief agency, distributing $3.2 million in city, state and federal funding to support the devastated artist community.
• Red Rocks attracted an estimated 1.54 million to ticketed events in 2022, an increase of 31.8 percent from 2021.
Cole Berliner of the band, Kamikaze Palm Tree, plays the guitar and sings to a sold out crowd on June 7, 2023. An estimated 1.54 million attended ticketed events at Red Rocks in 2022. That’s up 31.8 percent from 2021, according to Ginger White Brunetti, executive director of Denver Arts & Venues, which manages the iconic amphitheater in Morrison.
Given all that, the re-upping of White Brunetti as Executive Director might seem to be nothing more than an obvious and unnecessary formality on the new mayor’s part. But Jordan Fuja, Johnston’s communication manager and the spokesperson for Vibrant Denver, said the transition committees are doing much more than just sourcing names. “All of the committees are giving a list of attributes of a leader that they think would be good for their positions,” Fuja said. “They are also talking about policy priorities and giving the mayor-elect some potential policy priorities that he should consider, and what he should be focused on when it comes to the arts.”
Abrams made it clear that her work is not in any way a specific referendum on White Brunetti and her staff, but rather an opportunity to partner with the department as a whole to clarify primary objectives as the new term begins.
“Across the board, and for every transition committee, there is an expectation for us to talk about what the department’s priorities should be,” Abrams said. That might take the form of a list of goals for the first 100 days, she said – ”things that can help kick things off on a really exciting and collaborative note.”
At the end of this exhaustive process, White Brunetti might or might not still be leading the department. But Abrams believes the committee’s input will be invaluable to her if she is.
“I think of this as a re-set,” Abrams said. “It’s a good table-setter for the incoming administration – if things are going well, then to continue what’s going well. And if some things need to be re-evaluated, then to re-evaluate what needs to be changed.”
This all might seem a little squishy, given the necessarily positive and symbiotic relationships Arts & Venues appropriately develops with Denver cultural institutions of all sizes, including Abrams’. But the MCA Denver director is thrilled just to be included.
“I was honored to be invited to do this, especially with Stephen Brackett, who is a brilliant musician, educator and just all-around amazing human being,” Abrams said. “And to do it for the Mayor-elect, whose platform I really believe in. This is a great opportunity for me to galvanize a group of arts-and-culture representatives to help to set the priorities and the values that will drive both this department and this aspect of the mayor’s agenda over the next few years.”
By Admin in Photography
Hellen van Meene was born in Alkmaar, Netherlands, in 1972 and studied photography at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. A professional photographer for almost 30 years, Hellen’s work has been exhibited around the world, including at the Guggenheim and MoMA in New York. She received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Photographic Society in 2016 and won the Victoriefonds Visual Arts Culture Prize in 2022.
Van Meene’s photographs embrace an aesthetic of their own, appearing contemporary while at the same time, seemingly being from a different era. Influenced by 17th Century paintings, her work captivates the viewer, while embracing her own visual language.
In each photograph, her aim is to capture the precious momentum of youth, which is characterized by openness, uncertainty, and dreams for the future. Her use of natural light, sensitivity towards the models and absolute attention to detail all help to create an eye-catching interplay. The girls’ facial expressions are particularly striking. At times, her subjects seem to be lost in their own thoughts, while at others, they almost appear to be challenging the viewer. Occasionally, some of her subjects even have their eyes closed, but through her skillful staging, each photo seems to stop time within itself.
Van Meene has been working with some models for years, and as they find their way into adulthood and evolve, so does her photographic work. In her latest series, she goes one step further, including an element of fire in her work for the first time.
Work courtesy of: James Freeman Gallery, London; Galerie Fontana, Amsterdam; Yancey Richardson, New York
People keep asking me if portraiture is what I really do. The funny thing is that there are people in my photographs, but they’re not really ‘portraits’ as such. It’s not that I am aiming to make a precise document of the person in front of me, but rather more like a translation of someone I see in front of me, and whom I translate into something different. Of course, they recognize themselves in the image, but sometimes people can change a lot.
For me, making a portrait is so much nicer than doing a still life because the person reacts to what I ask of them. You are working with chemistry, charm, and everything you can do to create the way you want to take your photograph.
From the moment you see someone walking in the street and you ask a person to pose for you, to a later moment, in which you may change the clothes, find the right lighting and background, all this is part of what makes a photograph. It is a whole interesting process that takes place before the end result is really there.
I only have 12 photographs per film and if I shoot too fast, I have to stop and change the film, when the model has finally relaxed. This causes my work to proceed with care and focus on each shot taken. With digital, this same level of concentration is not demanded as you can easily take 100 pictures in one go. The result is a lack of focus on good photos.
As anyone starting with digital knows, it’s not an argument we can easily refute. Many digital disciples when starting out in photography occasionally confuse a camera with some form of visual machine gun. Instead, you want to take your time and make sure everything in the image is right. It is important to remember that the focus should be on the quality of every individual photo.
When working in the studio, you have to create and control the atmosphere with light by yourself. You are forced to pay a lot of attention to the exposure and interactions with the model are neglected. The creative concentration has to be on the model and how the light affects it – does the light fall softly on the skin? Are the shadows on the face too harsh or distracting from the image? This way, I can fully focus on the person in front of me and work with the natural light and its advantages without actually compromising what I’m doing.
It is all about the chemistry with the subject, and that counts for everyone. You have to feel inspired by them. When I am positive about someone, a lot of things happen with their personality, they open up like a flower. And this process is so interesting for me. Even though I did some still-life work last year, I will always focus mostly on people, because the interaction with my subjects is the most fun part of it.
Young people nowadays are not so different from us when we were young or the generations that went before us. The uncertainty is always there, feeling shy, or proud or brave – the only new thing they have to worry about is social media. We didn’t have cell phones and when we acted silly among our friends, it stayed private. Now there are almost no boundaries and people share too much too easily without thinking about any of the consequences.
By Admin in Photography
July 13 – Bryce Denison Photography Reception at Woods Gallery, FLORA of North America
Huntington Woods, MI – The Woods Gallery at Huntington Woods Library is hosting an opening reception for photographer Bryce Denison on July 13.
Here’s the info:
FLORA of North America: The Photography of Bryce Denison July 5 – Aug 31
Artist’s Reception: Thursday, July 13 | 6-8 pm
Artist Remarks at 7pm
Meet professional photographer, Bryce Denison, at the artist’s reception and experience his bold images of the flora of North America. Much of the exhibit will feature the colorful flora of Michigan, so come and be captivated by the dramatic imagery of the flowers in our home state and beyond, and enjoy this perfect exhibit for summer. Bryce grew up in Michigan. and teaches classes as Director, of Midwest Photography Workshops. He also leads photography adventures near and far.
For more things to do, visit the Oakland County Times Event Page!
To submit event info email editor@oc115.com .
Thank you to Jim Shaffer & Associates Realtors for sponsoring this section!
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The Desert Foothills Land Trust (DFLT) is proud to announce a special presentation event featuring acclaimed botanical photographer Jimmy Fike on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Sanderson