GALAX — Chestnut Creek School of the Arts (CCSA) announces their new exhibit featuring the work of the late J. William Moncrief and current teachers: Chris Bolduc, Donna Godwin and
An exhibit of photography, printmaking and painting
South Lewis students won in photography contest
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Glass & Concrete Sculptor Ben Young’s First Solo Exhibit in the U.S.
This artist’s ongoing love letter to the ocean will be on display in New York.
Winter Carnival organizers seek teams for snow sculpture
Steamboat Creates seeks student and community teams to participate in this year’s snow sculpture contest at the Winter Carnival. People are encouraged to gather a team of five and submit an application with their planned design…
Reggie Wells, a Baltimore native who was Oprah’s makeup artist for 30 years, has died
The transgender advocacy organization Safe Haven Maryland released a statement Sunday night, Jan. 7, announcing it was holding a “Rally for Justice: Demanding Accountability for Meghan Lewis,” at 8 a.m., Monday, Jan. 8, outside the Harford County, Md., courthouse to protest what the group believes to be the mishandling by prosecutors of the Dec. 27 murder of Lewis, a beloved transgender woman.
Police in Bel Air, Md., where Lewis lived, said witnesses reported she got into an altercation with a man named Brian Delen, 47, who was delivering food outside her condominium building after he reportedly misgendered her by calling her “sir.”
Police said Lewis allegedly yelled at Delen when he started to drive off in his car. WBAL TV News in Baltimore reports that court documents say Delen then got out of his car, pulled out a gun, and fatally shot Lewis.
The documents say Delen immediately after shooting called 911 and surrendered to police, who found him in possession of a semi-automatic pistol for which he had a valid permit, according to WBAL
The Maryland Safe Haven statement says the group called the rally outside the courthouse at 20 West Courthouse Street in Bel Air to protest, among other things, a decision by prosecutors with the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office not to classify the incident as a hate crime.
The statement says Safe Haven Maryland and its supporters at the rally would also be protesting a decision by Harford County District Court Judge Susan Hazlett to release Delen on his own personal recognizance until at least the time of the next court hearing scheduled for Jan. 25. The judge ordered him to be held in home detention with a GPS monitoring device.
Court records show Delen has been charged with Second Degree Murder, Assault-First Degree, and Firearm Use/Felony-Violent Crime. Some transgender activists have said he should have been charged with First-Degree murder.
“We call upon the community, local law enforcement agencies, the state’s attorney’s office, and other relevant authorities to join us in our pursuit of justice for Meghan Lewis,” the Safe Haven statement says, which was released by Safe Haven Executive Director Iya Dammons. “We request meetings with officials to discuss the case, present evidence, and express our concerns about the handling of the investigation,” it says.
In what it describes as a “Demand for Accountability,” the statement declares:
• Hold the state’s attorney’s office accountable for not charging the murder as a hate crime, despite evidence suggesting it was motivated by bias or prejudice.
• Call for transparency and an explanation from the state’s attorney’s office regarding their decision-making process.
• Demand a thorough review of the handling of the case by law enforcement agencies, including any potential mishandling or negligence in the investigation.
In response to a request by the Washington Blade for comment, the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office released a statement Monday morning saying the case remains under “thorough investigation, to examine all evidence and determine what additional charges are appropriate.”
The statement points out that the State’s Attorney’s Office requested that Delen be held without bail pending trial and questions regarding how the decision was reached to release him on his own recognizance “should be directed to the judiciary,” meaning the judge who made the release decision.
“The evidence in this case will be thoroughly evaluated in the same manner as any case presented to our office for prosecution and as always, the State’s Attorney’s Office remains committed to seeking justice,” the statement concludes.
The Harford County Office of the Public Defender, which is serving as Delen’s defense counsel, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium returns with packed program, live sculpting
RIYADH: The fifth annual Tuwaiq Sculpture symposium will be held under the theme “Dimensions of Movement” from Jan. 14 to Feb. 24. Visitors can see 30 sculptors working on their projects or visit the
An Italian Basilica, Mountain, and the Moon Magically Align in an Extraordinary Photo
Image © Valerio Minato, shared with permission
Looking out from the high elevation of Castagneto Po in Italy on December 5, Valerio Minato photographed an extraordinarily magical alignment across the way in Piemonte. Already glowing in the darkness, the hilltop Basilica of Superga sits directly in the center of the Monviso mountain with the moon precisely framing the pair.
Minato planned the perfectly positioned shot well in advance—watch the night unfold on Instagram—and explains the distinct lighting within the image. “Even though the setting moon was captured in a crescent phase, the exposure was long enough for doubly reflected earthlight, called the da Vinci glow, to illuminate the entire top of the moon,” he says.
Minato frequently photographs cities and landmarks around Italy, which you can view on his site. Find prints in his shop. (via Kottke)
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article An Italian Basilica, Mountain, and the Moon Magically Align in an Extraordinary Photo appeared first on Colossal.
Spotlight on Close-up Photography: Winners of the Close-up Photographer of the Year 5
Spotlight on Close-up Photography: Winners of the Close-up Photographer of the Year 5
The Close-up Photographer of the Year 5 (CUPOTY 5) competition has unveiled its winners, marking an annual celebration of the exquisite art of macro, micro, and close-up photography. The competition, co-founded by Tracy Calder and backed by Affinity Photo 2, drew in more than 11,000 entries from around the globe.
Winners and Their Captivating Images
Claiming the top accolade was Hungarian photographer Csaba Daróczi with his striking photograph titled ‘The Bird of the Forest’. Daróczi’s image, a mesmerizing shot of a Eurasian nuthatch captured from within a hollow tree stump, also secured victory in the Animals category. On the younger front, Carlos Pérez Naval attained the Young Close-up Photographer of the Year 5 title with his intriguing photograph of a Moorish gecko set against a ‘petrified forest’ backdrop.
The Competition and Its Purpose
The competition spanned 11 categories, each spotlighting the intricate and fascinating world of close-up photography. From Animals, Insects, to Butterflies & Dragonflies, the categories encompassed a wide variety of subjects, providing a stage for photographers to showcase their work, techniques, and the narratives behind their images.
Judging Process and Insights
The panel of judges, a diverse mix of scientists, naturalists, journalists, writers, and photographers, invested over 20 hours in dialogue. They delved into the entrancing natural phenomena depicted in the images, such as tadpoles consuming birds and ants discharging acid. The winning images, coupled with the Top 100 selected pictures, are now available for viewing on the CUPOTY website.
The winners, sharing their personal experiences and the inventive processes behind their award-winning photographs, echo a blend of curiosity, scientific exploration, and artistic vision. These narratives offer viewers a deeper understanding of the intricate details and the immense patience that go into capturing such stunning close-up images.
MPavilion Outdoor Canopy Melds Architecture + Technology
MPavilion is Australia’s leading architecture commission, celebrating a decade as the country’s “cultural laboratory” as of 2023. MPavilion 9, designed by Thailand’s all(zone), is a standout orange marquee that delves into the potential of tensile architecture. The canopy resembles a low lying cloud, using flexible materials for a light and ethereal look, which filters the summer sun through three layers. In September 2024, it will move to its permanent location in Victoria.
Lauded with honors, MPavilion 9 has been received eight Australian and international awards thus far. They include Winner in Architectural Design – Cultural, BLT Built Design Awards 2023, Gold, Architectural Design & Social Impact, Good Design Awards 2023, Jury Winner, Architecture + Colour, and Architizer A+ Awards 2023. The project was also shortlisted in the Best Use of Colour and Completed Buildings – Culture, at the World Architecture Festival Awards in November 2023.
The structure was recently gifted to RMIT University and will be relocated to its new home at the Brunswick campus with an official opening on September 1, 2024. The marquee will be located at the heart of the campus’s central courtyard just in time for the new semester, inviting visitors and passing students to stop and explore further.
“We are delighted that all(zone)’s MPavilion will be relocated to RMIT’s Brunswick campus, a campus focused on a range of design disciplines,” says Naomi Milgrom AC, the Australian business leader, philanthropist, and founder of her namesake not-for-profit. “We hope that the pavilion’s innovative design will inspire students and visitors alike at its new permanent home.”
Rachaporn Choochuey, co-founder and design director of all(zone), said “We hope our collaborative efforts with MPavilion will inspire people to reflect more on how our built environment can help us to live better ‘together’.”
The temporary structure’s canopy consists of three successive layers of flexible composite materials. Two membranes used in the project were specially developed by Serge Ferrari for tensile architecture and solar protection. The top layer was constructed with Soltis Horizon 86, built using fishing nets to showcase its weightless appearance.
For the middle layer, 250 square meters of STFE membrane was added to weatherproof the venue. It was specifically developed for high structural resistance and transparency, with this project being the first time it was used in Australia. STFE, one of the developmental highlights used in the construction of the project, is made from lightweight polyarylate mesh that’s 10 times lighter than glass. It provides structural strength for large free-span designs, and minimizes the need for additional supporting structures and cables. It’s easy to install and guaranteed to last for more than 30 years, making it an ideal choice for those trying to minimize waste and avoid replacement in the future.
Lastly, the bottom layer was crafted from 1,400 square meters of Soltis 86, a mesh screen manufactured using patented Précontraint technology. Assembled into a waffle-like pattern, the fabric filters the sunlight, creating a play of brightness that delights visitors.
When the MPavilion is brought to life, it kicks off a five month long design festival full of free events where visitors are invited to consider how architecture, art, and design change lives. So far, it has hosted 3,400 events with 4,000 individuals and organizations over the past ten years. When the season draws to a close, each installation is gifted to the people of Victoria and relocated to a permanent home in the community.
Since 2014, the Naomi Milgrom Foundation has invited architects from around the world to design a meeting place for the Queen Victoria Gardens, located in the heart of Melbourne. MPavilion also reflects a broader cultural approach, one that seeks to celebrate the overlooked diversity and depth of aboriginal cultures.
To learn more about MPavilion 9 and discover where you can visit past editions across Victoria, click over to MPavilion.org.
MAVEN Introduces High-Quality Filters for Photographers and Videographers
MAVEN Introduces High-Quality Filters for Photographers and Videographers
MAVEN, a leading name in the world of photography and videography, has unveiled its latest innovation: a series of high-quality filters designed to optimize image capture. The new product line, including Dark Polarizers, Variables, Graduated NDs, and Infrared 720, was introduced through a Kickstarter campaign aiming to revolutionize the creative capabilities of both amateur and professional creators.
Unparalleled Clarity and Spectral Protection
Each filter in the new series has been meticulously engineered to suit a wide range of camera lenses. They feature color coding and a unique knurling pattern, facilitating easy identification and handling. Among the range is the Dark CPL filter, a game-changer that effectively combines a Circular Polarizer with an ND filter. This fusion allows photographers and videographers to manage reflections and control light intake, enhancing image clarity and vibrancy.
Innovation Tailored to User Needs
In this Kickstarter campaign, backers are given the opportunity to tailor their filter kit based on their specific needs, with various reward options available. Early bird backers stand to benefit from a significant discount of around 50% off the expected retail price, making this an enticing proposition for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Additionally, MAVEN is offering smaller, portable Graduated ND filters, perfect for creators constantly on the move.
Anticipating a Global Reach
If the Kickstarter campaign successfully reaches its pledge goal by its deadline of February 9, 2024, MAVEN plans to commence worldwide shipping around May 2024. This timeline indicates the brand’s confidence in its product and its commitment to enhancing the creative realm of photography and videography. The new filters are expected to redefine the standards of optical quality and versatility in capturing various scenes, marking a significant stride in the industry.
