In “Watching New York: Street Style A to Z,” Queens native and photographer Johnny Cirillo diligently captures the essence of New Yorkers and their eclectic fashion choices.

Throughout the book, Cirillo, affectionately dubbed “The People’s Paparazzi,” offers a glimpse into the city’s fashion world through candid snapshots of everyday individuals.

“I just look for all different kinds of interesting people, creative people, people that are going outside their comfort zone or bold expressions—people expressing themselves,” Cirillo said of his artistic vision during an appearance on “Mornings On 1” Friday.

While he often posts his captures to his 1.3 million followers on social media, his book is a curated collection of his favorite snapshots—one representing each letter of the alphabet.

Sunrise workshop planned at Redwings Horse Sanctuary

– Equine photography enthusiasts are invited to learn from three seasoned photographers during a sunrise workshop on May 18 at Redwings Horse Sanctuary.

Lori Sortino, Deb Hofstetter, and Cathy Wallace, collaborators since 2019, will share their expertise in photographing horses. The trio boasts a portfolio of thousands of equine images, spanning various styles including portraits, action shots, and artistic compositions.

Participants will gain insights into capturing compelling horse images amidst diverse conditions and handling challenges such as backgrounds, lighting, and horse behavior. The workshop will commence at 6 a.m. and conclude at noon at Redwings Horse Sanctuary, located at 6875 Union Rd., in Paso Robles.

Attendees will have the opportunity to photograph the sanctuary’s horses and burros, leveraging the soft morning light for stunning shots. The session will include a light breakfast and guidance on portrait photography using barn shade and natural lighting, as well as post-processing techniques for image enhancement.

Workshop registration options include:

• Bronze Workshop Registration: $300
• Gold Workshop Registration: $400 (includes Redwings swag such as a t-shirt, hat, and stickers)

Proceeds from the workshop will support Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s mission to alleviate equine suffering through education, outreach, and rescue efforts. While refunds are not available, registrants can transfer their registration to another participant if unable to attend after payment.

Click here to register.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary aims to combat equine suffering through education, outreach, and rescue initiatives. For more information, visit www.redwingshorsesanctuary.org.

A PHOTOGRAPH of a formerly homeless woman taken in Birmingham city centre has helped a photographer and academic clinch the Portrait of Britain Award.

The striking portrait image of Mauvette Reynolds, taken in the shadows of the iconic Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, is part of the body of work called Construct,  compiled by Anthony Luvera.

The project is centred around the lives and experiences of more than 50 people facing homelessness in the Second City. The photo has been acknowledged by the British Journal of Photography for its raw and real exploration of the lives of people facing homelessness  and continues Luvera’s rich history of producing socially engaged art.

Construct, ongoing since 2018, was commissioned by GRAIN Projects, an arts organisation dedicated to facilitating high-quality photography projects, in collaboration with SIFA Fireside, a charity that supports homeless people.

Construct made its debut exhibition in Snow Hill Square and Snow Hill train station in central Birmingham. Its photography is currently being showcased across the UK on digital screens in public spaces, including bus shelters, rail stations, shopping centres and Heathrow Airport.

Acclaim

Luvera, also a researcher at Coventry University’s Centre for Arts, Memory and Communities, has had his work exhibited in institutions and festivals around the world, receiving widespread acclaim for its impactful engagement with social issues that are often overlooked.

He said: “I have worked with people experiencing homelessness to address issues of housing justice for over two decades. I’m interested in working to enable people with lived experience to amplify their points of view about the systems and services that shape their everyday lives.  

“To see ‘The Assisted Self-Portrait of Mauvette Reynolds from Construct’ recognised by the British Journal of Photography through their Portrait of Britain award is a meaningful validation of the co-creation of this work with Mauvette and the many other people who have experienced homelessness that have participated in my work over the years.”  

The photographer immersed himself in the community, working alongside SIFA Fireside’s staff, participating in kitchen activities, and building relationships with homeless people for over a year before setting up photography workshops with over 50 participants to teach them how to use photography equipment.

They were then given cameras to capture their unique experiences and perspectives.  

Challenges

During the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, he continued the project through online workshops, post, telephone and email.  

He incorporated assisted self-portraits into the project, a process by which each person could choose where, when and how they appear in a photograph, working closely with people in meaningful locations to create powerful and personal imagery, including with Mauvette.

Now successfully rehoused, she reflected on her experience with SIFA Fireside and involvement with Luvera on Construct.

“I was living in a home with no gas, no electricity, no heating for five months and I fell very ill” she recalled.

“I woke up in a hospital after falling into a coma. And since then, I have been in and out of hostels, and I lived on the street for one and half years. My experience of being homeless has been so stressful. Being homeless is more than depressing, it drags you down. It’s like being stuck between two brick walls and there’s no way out.

“I have faced Isolation, discrimination, rejection, being labelled and stigmatised. It has been traumatising.

“I like photography and I always wanted to learn about photography. I also like having my photograph taken. I wanted to be a model when I was younger. I like discovering new things and I love writing about my photographs.

“Taking part in Anthony’s project, Construct, and making the assisted self-portrait with him has had a deep impact on me. It’s been therapeutic. It has been my dream come true. Because, I’ve always liked taking pictures and writing, and I have always wanted my pictures to be published, so people can see what I can do.”

What’s it like to go around the world and explore every culture? Ever think about the rewards about being a professional photographer?
 

For one man, scenery is everything when it comes to exploring around the world including the meaning of history. 

In the latest edition, our feature explores the storied career of Andrew Pateras, a name synonymous with capturing the unspoken narratives of our time. Andrew’s lens has persistently focused on the raw, unfiltered essence of human experience, earning him not just a revered spot in the annals of documentary photography but also a collection of accolades, most notably the Lifetime Distinction of Honour for Photographic Achievement from the International Freelance Photographers Organization. 

His work has been and continues to be featured at many exhibitions worldwide. As Pateras’ work inspires both veterans and aspirants in the photography world, his legacy is a testament to the power of a single image to alter perceptions and foster empathy across the boundaries of nations and cultures.

Photography has been a passion for Pateras as his path started out as a hobby from a young age. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, he was exposed to various cultures throughout his travel. 

“Photography started as a hobby. My dad had an old Nikon film camera that intrigued me. I always had a camera in hand,” said Pateras about photography got his interest. “My parents started my interest in travelling in some early trips across America and then to Europe (Greece, Yugoslavia and Turkey). I then worked for a company called G Adventures which really made my travel addiction take shape.”

Travelling took his photography career farther above and beyond the limits that allow him to showcase his work, including places of interest.

No matter whether it’s a place of interest or a witnessing a natural disaster, photography spoke for itself. 

Pateras experienced Japan’s earthquake in March 2011 in Tokyo where he was ready to get a ticket inquiry to Nagoya where he was going to do scenery shoots. He described the earthquake where he was felling the ground shaking where he ran to a door as the buildings were shaking.

“The biggest fear initially was buildings falling down on top of me,” said Pateras describing the earthquake at the time. “When I saw how strong Japanese buildings were, my next worry was the Fukushima reactor going critical which was only about 100 miles away from where I was.”

This moment led to Pateras to have his name known about what he witnessed on the ground in Tokyo after an interview with Fox News.

Prior to witnessing the earthquake and afterwards, Pateras made his way to six continents capturing one of the most magical places including the famous marks in China and Greece.

His work showcases both landmarks and his interaction with the locals of what life is like both in a civilized and a tribal world in different continents.

“It taught me that there are billions of lives, each with a different story, different struggles and different happy moments,” said Pateras about his experiences around the world.

The Canadian photographer is of Greek descent who’s aware of his ancestorial history and culture.

“My own heritage is also one of the world’s oldest. I am of Greek descent, and I spend every summer in Greece, teaching my sons about their history and their culture.”

Pateras visits Greece every summer where he spends time with his family. He’s taken the opportunity to explore Greece’s historical areas of history that includes The Acropolis, Nafplio (which was once Greece’s capital), and Mycenae, an ancient Greek Citadel.

He was a guest speaker at the Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida in his experience capturing Greece at Florida Atlantic University.

His work, whether it was Europe, Asia, Australia, or any part of the world, was to remind the public including, travelers, natives, and ancestors of what life is like those particular continents.

The view of culture and customs in different continent and regions that includes language, environment, and state of mind.

The fascination of different landmarks that includes the Great Wall of China, Petronas Twin Towers, Tiananmen Square, Niagara Falls, Taj Mahal, The Temple of Poseidon, and the Ancient City of Petra where Pateras has travelled exploring history.

“It taught me that there are billions of lives, each with a different story, different struggles and different happy moments,” said Pateras in his experience coming in contact with people from different walks of life.

Pateras’ interaction with people from different cultures has taught him the value of moments where everyone either has a happy moment or a time of struggle. Every culture has a different mindset and a different way of thinking especially in eastern and western cultures.

Photographs tell the story from a visual standpoint. The Canadian native’s photography work has captured the most notable landmarks around the world.

China’s Macau, which was once a Portuguese colony, is considered to be the Las Vegas of Asia with casinos having a European feel. The building had a Las Vegas vibe that also included casinos like the Wynn. 

Some areas in other countries didn’t always sit well with the locals as some had seen a camera.

“Because my favorite subject matter is people, I regularly had run ins with people that didn’t even like to see a camera. My time in the South China sea comes to mind. It was a very cool gate that had military guards in Sanya on Hainan Island in China,” said Pateras about the problems that he ran into abroad. “Alli di was put my hands on my camera around my neck and the guards started shouting and running towards me with AK47s at the ready.”

Some places didn’t always appreciate seeing a camera, where certain things would come to a misunderstanding.

Pateras’ experience with religious countries, such as Israel, where his work also encountered viewing Temple Mount, one of the most important sites in Israel.

The role of photography comes with many rewards and values going from place to place resulting in creativity.

World travelling is something that Pateras has been able to thrive as a photographer to capture the most monumental areas in the world.

What’s next for him in the photography journey?

“In the next 5 years< I plan to introduce my sons to more complex cameras and travel the world with them to give them similar experiences that my part rents provided me. We are planning a trip to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia) and another trip to Australia. These are in addition to our annual trips to Europe.”

Edited by Joseph Hammond and Newsdesk Manager

What’s it like to go around the world and explore every culture? Ever think about the rewards about being a professional photographer?
 

For one man, scenery is everything when it comes to exploring around the world including the meaning of history. 

In the latest edition, our feature explores the storied career of Andrew Pateras, a name synonymous with capturing the unspoken narratives of our time. Andrew’s lens has persistently focused on the raw, unfiltered essence of human experience, earning him not just a revered spot in the annals of documentary photography but also a collection of accolades, most notably the Lifetime Distinction of Honour for Photographic Achievement from the International Freelance Photographers Organization. 

His work has been and continues to be featured at many exhibitions worldwide. As Pateras’ work inspires both veterans and aspirants in the photography world, his legacy is a testament to the power of a single image to alter perceptions and foster empathy across the boundaries of nations and cultures.

Photography has been a passion for Pateras as his path started out as a hobby from a young age. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, he was exposed to various cultures throughout his travel. 

“Photography started as a hobby. My dad had an old Nikon film camera that intrigued me. I always had a camera in hand,” said Pateras about photography got his interest. “My parents started my interest in travelling in some early trips across America and then to Europe (Greece, Yugoslavia and Turkey). I then worked for a company called G Adventures which really made my travel addiction take shape.”

Travelling took his photography career farther above and beyond the limits that allow him to showcase his work, including places of interest.

No matter whether it’s a place of interest or a witnessing a natural disaster, photography spoke for itself. 

Pateras experienced Japan’s earthquake in March 2011 in Tokyo where he was ready to get a ticket inquiry to Nagoya where he was going to do scenery shoots. He described the earthquake where he was felling the ground shaking where he ran to a door as the buildings were shaking.

“The biggest fear initially was buildings falling down on top of me,” said Pateras describing the earthquake at the time. “When I saw how strong Japanese buildings were, my next worry was the Fukushima reactor going critical which was only about 100 miles away from where I was.”

This moment led to Pateras to have his name known about what he witnessed on the ground in Tokyo after an interview with Fox News.

Prior to witnessing the earthquake and afterwards, Pateras made his way to six continents capturing one of the most magical places including the famous marks in China and Greece.

His work showcases both landmarks and his interaction with the locals of what life is like both in a civilized and a tribal world in different continents.

“It taught me that there are billions of lives, each with a different story, different struggles and different happy moments,” said Pateras about his experiences around the world.

The Canadian photographer is of Greek descent who’s aware of his ancestorial history and culture.

“My own heritage is also one of the world’s oldest. I am of Greek descent, and I spend every summer in Greece, teaching my sons about their history and their culture.”

Pateras visits Greece every summer where he spends time with his family. He’s taken the opportunity to explore Greece’s historical areas of history that includes The Acropolis, Nafplio (which was once Greece’s capital), and Mycenae, an ancient Greek Citadel.

He was a guest speaker at the Hellenic Cultural Society of South Florida in his experience capturing Greece at Florida Atlantic University.

His work, whether it was Europe, Asia, Australia, or any part of the world, was to remind the public including, travelers, natives, and ancestors of what life is like those particular continents.

The view of culture and customs in different continent and regions that includes language, environment, and state of mind.

The fascination of different landmarks that includes the Great Wall of China, Petronas Twin Towers, Tiananmen Square, Niagara Falls, Taj Mahal, The Temple of Poseidon, and the Ancient City of Petra where Pateras has travelled exploring history.

“It taught me that there are billions of lives, each with a different story, different struggles and different happy moments,” said Pateras in his experience coming in contact with people from different walks of life.

Pateras’ interaction with people from different cultures has taught him the value of moments where everyone either has a happy moment or a time of struggle. Every culture has a different mindset and a different way of thinking especially in eastern and western cultures.

Photographs tell the story from a visual standpoint. The Canadian native’s photography work has captured the most notable landmarks around the world.

China’s Macau, which was once a Portuguese colony, is considered to be the Las Vegas of Asia with casinos having a European feel. The building had a Las Vegas vibe that also included casinos like the Wynn. 

Some areas in other countries didn’t always sit well with the locals as some had seen a camera.

“Because my favorite subject matter is people, I regularly had run ins with people that didn’t even like to see a camera. My time in the South China sea comes to mind. It was a very cool gate that had military guards in Sanya on Hainan Island in China,” said Pateras about the problems that he ran into abroad. “Alli di was put my hands on my camera around my neck and the guards started shouting and running towards me with AK47s at the ready.”

Some places didn’t always appreciate seeing a camera, where certain things would come to a misunderstanding.

Pateras’ experience with religious countries, such as Israel, where his work also encountered viewing Temple Mount, one of the most important sites in Israel.

The role of photography comes with many rewards and values going from place to place resulting in creativity.

World travelling is something that Pateras has been able to thrive as a photographer to capture the most monumental areas in the world.

What’s next for him in the photography journey?

“In the next 5 years< I plan to introduce my sons to more complex cameras and travel the world with them to give them similar experiences that my part rents provided me. We are planning a trip to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia) and another trip to Australia. These are in addition to our annual trips to Europe.”

Edited by Joseph Hammond and Newsdesk Manager

The following story originally appeared as an online exclusive on the W&M Alumni Magazine website – Ed.

At age 99, artist Willie Anne Wright ’45 is enjoying a surge of interest in the work she created during a career lasting more than six decades.

Two exhibitions of her artwork opened last fall, including a major career-spanning retrospective at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) in Richmond that continues through her 100th birthday in June. In March, William & Mary’s Muscarelle Museum of Art added six of her pieces to its collection — five photographs that the museum purchased and a painting that Wright donated. The Muscarelle team looks forward to having these works on view sometime after the museum reopens  in the fall following a renovation and expansion that will triple its gallery space.

For Wright, the Muscarelle’s acquisition marks a homecoming to William & Mary, where she first felt encouraged and taken seriously as an artist. She donated her painting “Self Portrait With Gus” to the museum in memory of fine arts professor and department chair Thomas Thorne, who taught at W&M from 1940-1975.

Known as Willie Anne Boschen when she attended William & Mary, she was not able to take art classes for credit as a psychology major, but Thorne thought highly enough of her artwork to include it in campus exhibitions. He also selected two of her watercolor paintings for a 1944 show of college students’ art at the VMFA.

“He made me feel like he had confidence in my talent,” says Wright, a Richmond native who is most widely known for her experimental pinhole photography. “It certainly put me on a path. To this day, I appreciate the recognition he gave me.”

Until the recent acquisition, the Muscarelle had just one piece of her artwork in its collection: a watercolor titled “Williamsburg House,” dated 1945, the year she graduated. Melissa Parris, the museum’s deputy director of collections, exhibitions and operations, says she became interested in Wright’s pinhole photography after seeing images in the 2019 W&M Alumni Magazine profile “Forward & Back.”

Over the past couple of years, Parris and museum director David Brashear HON ’07 met several times with Wright and her daughter, Anne, and the team at Candela Books + Gallery to look through her vast archive of photographs. While visiting Wright’s longtime home in Richmond’s Fan District, a large painting at the top of the stairs caught their eye — Wright’s “Self Portrait With Gus,” made in 1974, featuring three images of the artist in the front room of her house.

“She knew we liked it, and she kindly offered to give it to William & Mary as a donation after we committed to purchasing the five photographs,” Parris says.

The acquisition of Wright’s work advances two priorities for the Muscaralle: expanding its collection of photography and increasing the number of works by women. Besides pinhole photography, the acquired works include images made without a camera, such as cyanotypes or lumen prints made by placing an object on photo paper and exposing it to light. (View the full list with thumbnail images.)

“Willie Anne Wright is, in many respects, a pioneer in the realm of photography,” Brashear says. “Her pinhole photography, carried out using a pinhole camera she built herself, delivers a perspective unique to Willie Anne’s own eye. Her cyanotypes are inventive, and executed with precision.” 

Along with the late painter Lynne Drexler ’51, Wright is one of the best known alumni artists whose work is represented in the museum’s collection, Parris says. Drexler attended William & Mary but did not receive a degree; both she and Wright later studied art at Richmond Professional Institute, now Virginia Commonwealth University, under trailblazing artist and educator Theresa Pollak. Unlike Wright, who spent most of her adult life in Richmond, Drexler settled in New York City.

Eliot Dudik, an associate teaching professor of art at William & Mary who specializes in photography, says he is intrigued by Wright’s experimentation with materials and subjects, as well as the cameras themselves.

“The vibrancy and distortions she obtained in her color, direct-positive, in-camera pinhole works are mesmerizing, and match the firecracker energy of her personality,” says Dudik, who spoke to the museum’s acquisitions committee about Wright’s work. “Her unique and timeless approaches in experimental processes, collage and pinhole photography will continue to be big inspirations for William & Mary students long into the future.”

Gordon Stettinius, who handles sales of Wright’s artwork through his Candela Books + Gallery in Richmond, says he’s seen increased interest from collectors since her VMFA show, “Willie Anne Wright: Artist and Alchemist,” opened in October with 63 photographs and nine paintings. So far, the exhibition has attracted over 40,000 visitors, according to the museum. Candela spotlighted Wright’s work with its own show, “Conjuring the Composition,” in November and December.

Stettinius, who is preparing a portfolio of Wright’s work to take to a New York art fair later this month, describes her as a restless tinkerer and an unconventional thinker.

“I’ve known Willie Anne for over 30 years now and it warms my heart to see the attention she has been receiving for the breadth and depth of a truly impressive career,” he says. “When you consider the wide variety of processes she used and her investigation into unconventional materials, then add in her eclectic interests ranging from philosophy to mysticism to feminism and beyond, you cannot help but be impressed by an artist very much ahead of her time.”

Save the date: As part of William & Mary’s Year of the Arts, a May 7 event is planned at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, with a panel discussion moderated by David Brashear, director of the Muscarelle Museum of Art and special access to the Willie Anne Wright exhibition. A reception of hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be included in the 5:30-8 p.m. event, which is co-sponsored by the Society of 1918, the W&M Richmond alumni network and the Muscarelle. See the event page for details.

Tina Eshleman, University Marketing