The organizers of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest have been kind enough to share a preview of some of this year’s Highly Commended images. The full list of competition winners, and the Grand Title and Young Grand Title Awards, will be announced in October. Wildlife Photographer of the Year is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum in London. Captions are provided by the photographers and WPY organizers, and are lightly edited for style.
Neat freak? Perfectionist? Type A personality? Meet Melt, a brand founded by Ben Hopkins of Studio Hopkins specializing in the design and manufacturing of 3D-printed products for work and life. Currently, there are four standard products available, with the option of customization of existing products or custom design and the fabrication of project or brand specific products. The 50/50 Caddy stores your daily work supplies, while three stackable Strap Trays nest together to corral small objects. Slice’s desktop tray supports a cork space divider and headphone hook, and Creature Lamp is articulated lighting available in wall mounted or panel mounted options. It runs on battery powered LED and is rechargeable.
Melt 3D prints with bio-based filaments made from recycled food packaging waste, then combines bio-based filaments with other compostable or renewable materials, such as cork. The manufacturing process uses two types of PLA (polylactic acid) filament, which is plant-based. ReFlow Matte rPLA is derived from cornstarch and recycled food packaging waste, and Polymaker PolyTerra PLA is a bio-based filament with a smooth matte finish. For every spool of material purchased, one tree is planted (in the region where the spools are sold) in partnership with One Tree Planted.
50/50 Caddy
The other main material used in Melt’s products is cork. Natural, renewable, and recyclable, it’s biodegradable and environmentally friendly because only the bark of the cork oak tree is harvested. Did you know that cork trees can live for up to 300 years? One tree can supply us with raw materials for generations!
Strap Trays
Strap Trays
Strap Trays
Slice
Slice
Slice
Task Lamp, Wall Mounted
Task Lamp, Wall Mounted
Task Lamp, Panel Mounted
To learn more about Melt’s product offerings, visit meltmfg.com.
As an artist in Jackson, TN, how has the local community influenced and inspired your artistic journey? Are there any specific aspects of the city or its culture that have had a significant impact on your creative process?I am truly amazed by this town! Even though I am new here, I have already had the pleasure of meeting some incredibly talented artists. Witnessing their passion and seeing how they live through their art is truly inspirational. I feel so fortunate to be surrounded by such interested and passionate individuals.
I wanted to share with you my approach to art and photography. On one side, I like to deliver my work with a documentary or journalistic style, capturing authentic moments and stories. However, I also find it intriguing to explore the opposite side by creating strong, manipulated images in post-production, giving rise to a surrealistic aesthetic.
It’s fascinating how these two contrasting styles allow me to connect with different audiences. A significant part of my audience is international, and my documentary approach helps me showcase the true essence of people and life in America.
Thank you for your interest in my work!
In what ways do you find inspiration and motivation in the rich artistic history and heritage of American art? Are there any specific American artists or movements that have influenced your work, and if so, how have you incorporated those influences into your artistic practice?I wanted to share some of the American artists who have been a great source of inspiration for me. Andy Warhol, Steve McCurry (photographer), Richard Avedon (photographer), and Robert Frank (photographer) have had a profound impact on my artistic journey. Robert Frank’s book “The Americans” is simply amazing and has deeply influenced my project “Faces in North America” and other works like “The Humans of New York.”
The talent and vision of these artists are truly unparalleled, especially Richard Avedon’s ability to capture the most beautiful portraits. Their influence has been significant and continues to inspire my work in photography.
I hope this message finds you well. As an artist, my primary aspiration is to create a comfortable life for my family, including my wife and two sons, through my artwork. Currently, I am working on a couple of projects. One of them is a private endeavor where I document the lives of my family. Another ongoing project is “Faces in North America,” which is still in progress and doesn’t have any upcoming exhibitions at the moment.
I am deeply committed to contributing to the growth of “American Artist Appreciation.” One of the specific ways I could to do this is by documenting various activities, artists, and events related to the appreciation of American artists. Through these efforts, I hope to bring more recognition and appreciation to the talented artists in America.
Thank you for your support and interest in my work!
For more interviews with local artists, click here.
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A new monthly market is coming to The Rail Yard in East Village. Here’s what you need to know.
A new art-focused pop-up market is coming to Little Rock’s East Village neighborhood this summer.
This Saturday, Sept. 2, the inaugural East Village Art Market will host local artists, small businesses and creatives at The Rail Yard for a day of shopping, fun and community. Attendees can browse handmade art from local ceramicists, painters, jewelers, candle makers and multimedia artists.
Vendors Bri Peterson, Howdy Bonita, Golden Art, Whimsy and Wonderful, Popchukk Art, Divine Creative and more will be setting up their creations at this backyard party, which will be fuelled by The Rail Yard’s new menu and a special EVAM drink. Yard games and a fresh flower bar will also be set up so people of all ages can have fun while perusing the art and supporting local.
“Our hope is that in opening up space for creatives and local enthusiasts to come together they can share their passion for supporting one another,” says Brittany Langston, head of the EVAM. “Not every artist dreams of the MOMA, or million dollar gallery deals. Most dream of their handmade mug being used for your morning coffee or the smell of their handmade candle filling up the air of your home. Most of them are their hardest critics, so your small purchase goes deeper than you realize.”
The market will host its pop-up monthly, weather permitting, with the very first one set to take place on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Learn more about East Village Art Market on their website, and follow along on Instagram for a glimpse of the fun.
Josie Burnett
Editorial Contributor & Stylist
jburnett@abpg.com
Del Ray Artisans’
HalloWEIRD Art Market
Saturday, September 23, 10am–4pm (Outside, Rain or Shine)
Come to the 2nd annual HalloWEIRD outdoor art market on Saturday, September 23, 2023 from 10am–4pm to browse Halloween-inspired creations that are spooky, creepy, crawly, and goth. Maybe you like the upbeat, fun side of the season, like costumes, hot cider, hay rides, autumn colors. You can see art celebrating that too! The market offers diverse, original handcrafted artwork from talented local artists in a wide range of media, including ceramics, fiber, jewelry, mixed media, paper, photography, and more. There is something for everyone!
This is an outdoor, family-friendly, rain-or-shine event in Colasanto Park adjoining Del Ray Artisans gallery at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA (corner of Commonwealth and Mount Vernon avenues). The market is FREE to browse and open to the public. Mark your calendar or set a reminder through Eventbrite.
The artists featured in the market are:
John T Allen, Permian Designs
Amy Bruce Studios
Amy Castine, Castine Beadwork
Maxine Cholmondeley, Max’s Mixtures Candles & Soaps
Meredith D’Amore, Rare Bird Press
Ariane D’Souza
Amanda Fletchersmith, Custom Monster
Lesley Hall-Runner, Ruthless Art
Erica Hughes and Suzan Ok Shumate, Fox Arrow Artisans
BWS Johnson, Blooms of Paradise
Betsy Jones
Archna Kanodia, Heena Art – Hand Decorations
Mary Katz, Star and Moon Creations
Annemarie Kuhns, Love + Lino
Megan Levanduski, Megan Elaine Designs
Samantha Ludwitzke, Samantha’s Doodles
Liz Martinez, Spirit of the Mandala
Madeleine Meredith, Miles & Bear
Susan Pawlukiewicz, Lucite Creations
Christina Rojas, et cetera
Tekla Taylor
Tracy Wilkerson, Recycled Works
Special Performances: Del Ray Artisans and Monarca in Flight present “Human Spiders” during HalloWEIRD! Monarca in Flight is Northern Virginia’s first studio devoted primarily to aerials and aerials education.
Step inside Del Ray Artisans gallery to see Farther Afield art exhibit (September 1–30, 2023) featuring artwork that takes us outside of our day-to-day lives to locations far and wide.
For more information on HalloWEIRD, visit DelRayArtisans.org/halloweird-2023.
Del Ray Artisans, founded in 1992, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote art for the benefit of artists and the community.
Del Ray Artisans (DRA) appreciates the continued support from the City of Alexandria, Alexandria Commission for the Arts, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and National Endowment for the Arts. DRA is a 501(c)(3) organization.
On one hand, the Juniper MULTIVERSE System shares many of the hallmark traits of form and function associated with traditional track lighting. But to compare the Connecticut-based company’s architectural technology to its outdated and often maligned predecessor would be doing the low-voltage power distribution system a disservice, as Juniper’s modular and magnetic system lays out possibilities reaching beyond mere illumination, all with a much more aesthetically pleasing package.
Speaking via video chat from the company’s central Connecticut headquarters and showroom housed within a historic mill – Juniper founder Shant Madjarian remotely outlined the MULTIVERSE System’s key components and features, piece by piece to allow for a better grasp of the what, why, and how. Complemented by a sample pack containing several MULTIVERSE track segments and connectors delivered ahead of our chat, Madjarian delved into the inspiration and impetus in designing their innovative approach to a well established lighting solution.
A sample pack of Juniper’s MULTIVERSE System track lighting components, including a pair of ribbon mounted spotlight modules. Ribbon segments secure onto screw mounted clips across nearly any interior surface, with lighting components securing into place magnetically. Photo: Gregory Han
Madjarian cites a concept using tape enhanced with low profile circuitry to deliver power as the inspiration behind the development of MULTIVERSE. The barely-there design was later refined by Madjarian and the Juniper team into a modular system of ribbons measuring a mere 7mm in height with immediate obvious applicability within residential and commercial spaces.
“Looking at [MULTIVERSE] you would not know it’s lighting,” says Madjarian about Juniper’s power delivery system, an impression further emphasized by the company’s catalog of pre-finished colors and materials that inspire possibilities rather than serving mere practicalities.
Ribbons are available in numerous color and material finishes, but can also be painted once installed onto surfaces to further blend into walls.
One intriguing option made possible by the modular and low profile design is the option to run ribbons vertically to add task and ambient ribbon lighting near workspaces. A new linear ambient ribbon element shown above tracks the same 1/4″ thickness for a seamless presence across walls.
Piecing together like architectural playthings, the MULTIVERSE ribbons are designed to be easily and quickly connected at lengths up to 150 linear feet. Powered from a single driver, connected lights are dimmable and can also be operated separately or in harmony using one of two included circuits.
The MULTIVERSE System’s ribbons range from 2-feet, 4-feet, and 6-feet length. Regardless of their length, each piece conceals Juniper’s proprietary 24V high-efficiency dual circuitry. Madjarian emphasizes how the design offers clients the option to discreetly recede the lighting system into an interior space or utilize them more expressively to bring attention to their presence as a bold graphic element.
Traditionally track lighting’s linear path was limited to an em-dash’s length. The MULTIVERSE system’s catalog of curving and connecting components opens the possibility to create a graphical element winding across varying topography, corners, and changing planes for interesting effect.
The MULTIVERSE System’s tracks measure only 1/4-inch thick, a ribbon-like profile that houses 24V high -efficiency dual circuitry. Components connect using a magnetic system allowing up to 15 miniature spot modules that are in turn easily adjusted along the track length and also their angled aim.
An optional suspension ribbon track brings illumination closer to nearby surfaces or aimed away as an ambient light source.
The MULTIVERSE System isn’t limited to wall mounted tracks, but also offers the option to use luminaire adaptors for hanging pendants, stems, and a selection of Juniper’s THIN System fixtures. Juniper recently released new cylinders with reeded glass fittings and 500, 1,000, and 1,500 lumens outputs.
Magnetic adaptors are a key component the Juniper system’s adaptability, subtracting the necessity to run internal wiring when adding additional compatible spots. Which brings up perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Juniper MULTIVERSE System’s future: “We’re investigating partnering with select manufacturers to develop add-on components for the MULTIVERSE,” explains Madjarian. “For example, small audio speakers, security monitoring devices, and other technologies that can be liberated from wall outlets and added where most needed, wanted.”
While Juniper has yet to announce such partnerships, they believe a year from now the MULTIVERSE System will live up to its moniker and expand in scope well beyond lighting and into an entire smart home platform.
Designed as a complementing component, monopoint fixtures can be mounted with or without 5” cover plates to deliver light in support of the ribbon system.
MULTIVERSE architectural track heads feature 1,000-lumen and 1,500-lumen outputs and start at $250 each.
“Juniper is a tech-driven lighting company, and although we like vintage track lighting,” says Madjarian. “We set out to design track lighting that clients want to install rather than need to install.” The Juniper MULTIVERSE System is currently aimed at the trade segment and still requires professional electrician installation, but the company hints of the development of direct-to-consumer products down the line, including the development of a Juniper app intended to integrate MULTIVERSE’s linear luminosity to operate in seamless coordination with other modular additions riding the line of the company’s low-voltage LED power distribution system.
For more information about the MULTIVERSE System visit juniper-design.com or if you happen to be in New York City, appointments can be made at the brand’s SoHo showroom at 1 Crosby Street.
Faces of detainees who were disappeared during the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship are projected on the facade of La Moneda palace, commemorating the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearances
Photograph: Joshua Arguello/Zuma Press Wire/Shutterstock
