No word exists to describe the sculpture local artist and teacher Orlanda Flett has created that now sits in a…
Beaded sculpture on display in P.A. takes history & adds creativity to make something new
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Rodney Ewing | University of Nevada, Reno
My practice revolves around employing an interdisciplinary approach to explore issues of marginalized histories and diasporic existences. Although I was trained as printmaker, it has now become one of the many tools I draw upon to create art.
Sustainability Leadership Certificate
The one-credit required colloquium course brings regional and global leaders in the fields of climate change, climate justice, sustainability practice, science, technology and art to the Wayne L. Prim Campus to share their knowledge with our students. The intimate meeting-style setting makes this a unique experience for students to network with leaders in the field. The colloquium is open to members of the Lake Tahoe community, many of whom have impressive professional histories of impact and advancement in their fields.
Check back for the schedule of speakers for Fall 2024.
Jonathan Breiter Affiliated Faculty
Summary
Jonathan Breiter is a Lecturer Level II, Professor of Business. He teaches entrepreneurship, marketing and management. A veteran of the international business world, where he spent 35 years, Breiter has direct experience in the advertising business working for Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers, General Mills (Yoplait Yogurt) and Hasbro (various toys and games such as Jenga, Playskool, Milton Bradley and Parker Bros.) He transitioned to Hasbro after working on their advertising for 3 years. At Hasbro he launched Barney and Elmo while also launching over 150 innovative, award-winning and patented products over a 5-year period as a SVP Marketing. His entrepreneurial spirit started upon leaving Hasbro to start his first consumer packaged goods company which he sold 3 years later to an international conglomerate. With the conglomerate, he discovered and helped launch the Teletubbies, Pokemon and SpongeBob Squarepants. Today, his greatest joy and interest is teaching.
Research interests
- Marketing (i.e., creating value to disrupt markets, leading with AI and analytics, consumer behavior, target demography, positioning)
- Strategic Management (i.e., strategy implementation, mission, vision, and value statements)
- Entrepreneurial Marketing/Management (i.e., go-to-market omnichannel design)
- Leadership/Effectiveness Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Ethics
- Charitable Contributions/CSR
Glasgow museum says its £3m Auguste Rodin sculpture is missing
Plaster sculpture bought by Glasgow Museum from the artist in 1901 is ‘unlocated’
On the Market: A Belmont Property That’s Scenic Street Inspired the Song “Country Road”
On the Market: A Modern Belmont Farmhouse with an Art Gallery
IN THIS SECTION
PUD’s Kurt Conger reflects on father: World-renowned Photographer passes in TD — Columbia Community Connection News Mid-Columbia Region
The couple married in 1953.
They were married 70 years until Lee’s passing on July 31st, 2023.
Dean, who was born in 1927 and raised in Casper, Wyoming, initially worked for the Denver Post where he met Lee in the 1950s. There, he achieved considerable success, being named Newspaper Photographer of the Year thrice.
However, his life took a profound turn in 1959 when National Geographic came calling.
He and Lee were in the midst of building a home in Arvada. Lee was expecting their first child, Eric. And they had just laid the foundation for their new house.
But the couple jumped at the opportunity.
Lee later reflected on this pivotal moment, telling Robyn Conger:
“That’s not the kind of job you turn down.”
The couple eventually purchased a home in Bethesda, Maryland outside of Washington D.C. where they raised three sons.
After 30 years with National Geographic, he retired on September 1, 1989. Dean and Lee moved to Durango, Colorado where they built a southwest-style home, hiked, and skied.
In 2012 they moved to Bend, Oregon to enjoy their sunset years, and in 2022 they moved to The Dalles, Oregon, to be closer to family.
Kurt said his father never looked back, noting life was too interesting and inspiring to have regrets.
At the end of his life, Dean Conger was focused on one thing – reuniting with his beloved wife who had passed just five weeks earlier.
“I’m on a final assignment to go find her,” he said in the days before his death.
Dean is survived by his three sons – Eric, Kurt, and Chris; three grandchildren – Joel, JR, and Jenney; and great-granddaughter Serena. His legacy lives on not only through his incredible body of work but also through the love and memories shared by his family and those who were fortunate enough to know him. He will be dearly missed, and his contributions to the world of photography will forever be cherished.
SAGE will present “The Arrivals”, works by Brittney Denham
Brittney Denham – Whisonant’s Solo Exhibition will open on Oct. 17, at SAGE Community Arts.
SAGE Community Arts Executive Director Jill Benson appeared on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to announce the opening and told listeners she is proud and honored that SAGE has become the location many loca
Five Gift Ideas for Landscape Photographers
Holiday season is officially upon us, and now is the time when we start searching the internet for what to buy your loved ones, friends, and family, or even a cheeky treat for yourself. In this article. I choose five items that I think are ideal for landscape photographers old and new.
Lenses
In landscape photography, there are so many options of lenses to choose from. You do not have to shoot super wide all the time, and you can even shoot with a 70-200mm or 100-400mm lens to pick out those intimate details, rather than a wide field shot.
One lens I really enjoyed shooting with was the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 for Sony. It is an incredibly versatile lens, which is great for that wide angle look, and it also benefits from being performing well in low-light situations such as astrophotography. Another benefit of this lens is that it is cheaper than the native Sony 16-35mm f/4.0 or G Master f/2.8 lenses.
I own the Tamron trinity of lenses, which are the 17-28mm, 28-75mm G2, and the 70-180mm. They are very lightweight and perform really well in multiple situations such as astro, landscape, portraits, and weddings.
The cost of buying those three lenses wasn’t even as much as buying a single G Master lens, so there are good savings to be had if you are looking for a selection of affordable lenses, which are sharp, quick to focus, and perform very well.
Tripod
I am a big fan of the 3 Legged Thing tripods, as they are sturdy and easy to use and their customer service is fantastic whenever I have had an issue (which is not often). I also just love the aesthetics and color scheme of their tripods.
The Punks range is an affordable range available in both carbon fiber and aluminum, and for this list, I have chosen the 3 Legged Thing Punks Brian 2.0 Carbon Fiber Tripod, which is an updated version of their previous Brian model. The tripod includes their updated Airhead, which is a strong ballhead with easy-to-use features.
The Brian tripod has three removable legs, so you can create a monopod if needed for certain shooting styles. It also has three locking leg positions, so you can get really low to the ground, which is a plus for landscape photography. This tripod is very easy to clean too, which, for landscape photography, is a big plus. Often, I find myself shooting at the beach in sandy conditions and occasionally seawater, which can get in the joints.
Shutter Release
Often in landscape photography, you may want to shoot for longer than 30 seconds, which forces you to go into bulb mode. Why most modern cameras still limit us, I am not sure, but I hope all cameras will eventually allow us to set longer times in body.
For now, a shutter release of some sort is still an important accessory to own, so you can set the exposure time for your image. When shooting with neutral density filters, you may find yourself wanting to shoot a 1, 2, 5, or even a 10 minute long exposure and having a good shutter release cable will take out a lot of the hassle for you.
They are very easy to use and, for me, a must buy. For this article, I have chosen the Vello ShutterBoss II Timer Remote Switch.
Neutral Density Filters
Neutral density filters are an excellent means of creating long exposure images, and there are multiple types available for purchase. Whether you simply want to reduce the light by 2 or 3 stops or go as far as 15 stops, the options are limitless.
You can also acquire graduated filters, which darken either the upper or lower section of an image. This is especially useful for bright skies, enabling you to expose for both the sky and the foreground simultaneously.
One advantage of using filters is that you can usually capture all the necessary information in a single image, rather than relying on bracketing. However, I would still recommend learning how to bracket your images and then blending them in post-processing.
Filters come in all shapes and sizes. You can purchase circular neutral density filters and polarizers, or you can purchase the square variety in kits such as this kit: LEE Filters LEE100 Deluxe Kit.
LEE filters is a tried and trusted brand and has been popular amongst many landscape photographers and YouTube photographers around the world. There is plenty of competition out there, however, so be sure to look around for the kit you need. This kit is a good start, as it has everything you may need for a successful landscape shoot.
Cleaning Kit
Being out and about in the elements, you are likely to accumulate some sensor dust or water droplets on the front element of your lens. These are just a natural part of being a landscape photographer, so I highly recommend adding a cleaning kit to your pack for those moments.
While it’s very easy to remove sensor spots from an image in post-processing, it’s good practice to keep your gear as clean as possible at all times, especially before you head out. Bringing a rocket blower with me is the bare minimum when I’m on location, and I have quite a few because cleaning kits are probably the most common gift I receive in Secret Santas. The second most common gift is the Canon lens mug!
Summary
That’s my list of at least five items that would make great gifts for yourself or for a photographer you may know. Some of these items are more related to the Sony system, as that’s the system I use for my photography. However, you should be able to find the same items or equivalents for other camera systems as well.
Are you a landscape photographer? If so, what other items would you add to the list as great gifts? Please share your suggestions in the comments below.
Sunset Market at Ix Art Park connects creatives with the Charlottesville community
An eclectic collection of artwork welcomes visitors to Ix Art Park’s Sunset Market Thursday evenings from May to October. Strings of fairy lights twinkle over an open patio dotted with booths where vendors sell stickers, fiber art, woodwork, soaps and handmade jewelry.
Now in its second year, the market invites artisans to share their creations, providing a home for local businesses, as well as a place of gathering for students and community members.
“We love students, we welcome students!” Cecile Gorham, market manager of the Sunset Market, said. “I think students would really enjoy [the market] and even maybe be inspired to start a little business if they’re not sure exactly what they’re gonna do.”
Aidan McAlister, founder of the alchemically-inspired company Philosophers Tea, has been a regular vendor at Ix Art Park since 2019. For vendors like McAlister, selling at Ix offers “a really wholesome experience” and a chance to meet University students, Charlottesville locals and other artisans.
“A lot of the fun of being at these markets is really getting to speak with and collaborate with other business owners in the area,” McAlister said.
Open seven days a week to the public, Ix Art Park promotes inclusivity and creativity by making art accessible to everyone in the Charlottesville community. According to the park’s website, Ix Art Park aims to “empower its community” by creating an inviting “safe space” that celebrates creativity.
A collection of unorthodox sculptures, murals and installations greet visitors upon entering the park. A bookshelf made of hardcover books and wooden beams artfully houses a small lending library. Three metal monkeys, all wearing shirts and work boots, sit together on a wooden bench.
The Sunset Market welcomes veteran vendors and newer artists like McKayLenn Swope, owner of central Virginia-based Black Sheep Creations, who first brought her business to Ix in September. Swope began selling fiber art before expanding to laser-cut woodwork, bookmarks and other uniquely crafted items.
“I’ve been crocheting since I was a little kid and then started making toys and blankets for my friends that were having babies,” Swope said. “And my husband was like, ‘You should sell your stuff.’”
Sharing and selling art in this whimsical space fosters a sense of community for the artisans of the Sunset Market. Rebecca Belt, owner of The Be Initiative and Class of 2015 alumna, considers the park community a kind of family. The Be Initiative, a line of mindful apparel that emphasizes community engagement and sustainability, sells t-shirts, tank tops and tote bags that Belt screen-prints herself.
“We know each other,” Belt said. “Sometimes, after the market, we go get a drink or some food. It’s a good way to be a part of a community who makes things and engage with the others who come to the market.”
Before founding the business, Belt took studio art courses at Piedmont Community College, later transferring to the University. Now, she prints mindful and encouraging messages on her merchandise, which The Be Initiative sells along with LGBTQ+, Black Lives Matter, animal rights and veganism-themed stickers and buttons.
Running a small art business full-time can be difficult, according to Belt, but community-focused work brings the artist a sense of joy and fulfillment.
“There’s a reason I do these markets to get the community engagement part of my business — and that’s to talk to people. I want to know people’s stories,” Belt said.
The businesses and artists represented at the Sunset Market have rich stories of their own. Phillip Strauss and Noelle Thompson, artists at PAS Ceramics who bring digital design experience to their pottery, draw on their background as artists at the online retail company CustomInk. PAS Ceramics sells iridescent and earth-toned vases, bowls and mugs featuring linework art of arrowheads, flowers, mushrooms and geometric patterns.
“We deal with Illustrator and Photoshop a lot,” said Thompson, who traces designs in Illustrator before applying underglaze to Strauss’ hand-thrown ceramic pieces.
When it isn’t hosting the Sunset Market, Ix Art Park puts on a number of other art-focused events including a Saturday morning farmers’ market, live performances, art workshops and a summer film series. The park also houses The Looking Glass, Charlottesville’s only immersive art exhibit, which features a walk-through psychedelic forest created by a team of artists.
For anyone looking to connect with the warm, whimsical creatives of the Charlottesville arts scene, the Ix Art Park Sunset Market offers a variety of art made with plenty of heart.
