By Jim Newell
Review Staff Writer
From seasoned photographers using practiced methodology and sophisticated photo editing, to schoolchildren taking photos on their cell phones, the Orion Art Center’s first photography show featured an array of styles and talent.
The Art Center’s first juried photography exhibit and competition, “The Artist’s Lens,” on Friday featured photographs from 18 people submitting works in digital and film formats, color and black and white.
Art Center board member Alana Hart said they were pleased with the number of entries and the variety of those who entered, ranging in age from grade school children to senior citizens, many submitting more than one photograph.
“And that’s the interesting thing, that it’s such a diverse topic,” Hart said. “It’s really beautiful to see all of the ages come together.”
Kip Kriigel won first prize for his photograph “Artful Decay.”
Stephanie Harris took second place for her photo “Water is Life.”
Third place went to Cindy Howard for her photograph “Coming up for Air.”
Honorable mention went to Savannah Chapie for her photo “Marigold.”
“This is the first photography show we’ve done,” Hart said. “This show brought in a lot of people outside of Lake Orion. And that’s really what we want, to bond people with all forms of art.”
Exhibit judge Brenda Pescia said she spent several hours studying the photographs, narrowing her selections until choosing the top four.
“Every (photograph) I chose is strong in composition,” Pescia said. “A good piece of art moves throughout. There’s a center of interest, and then a secondary interest, and then a third…”
Pescia is a retired art teacher, runs the pottery studio for the Art Center and has a Masters in Fine Arts with a concentration in photography.
“There’s some kind of surprise or questioning, something that draws me to it and makes me want to know more,” Pescia said of why she is drawn to a photo. “I thought (the submissions were) fantastic. There are a lot of very good pieces here.”
Chapie, a student at Oakview Middle School, said she has only been taking photos for a couple of months, and used her Iphone to take the three photos she submitted to the exhibit.
“I just like seeing things you don’t really see. I like the different points of view, like focusing on one thing and looking back to see (the background) like a blur,” Chapie said.
Hart said the Art Center would probably continue with an annual photography show but has not decided if it will be an open show, allowing any subject, or a themed show.
The photography will remain on display at the Art Center until Oct. 16, and much of the work is available for purchase. Winners of the Artist Lens show will have their work displayed at Green Hippo Gifts in downtown Lake Orion for a month after the art show exhibit ends.
For details on upcoming events and exhibits, contact the Orion Art Center, 115 S. Anderson St., P.O. Box 674, at 248-693-4986; email info@orionartcenter.org; or visit online at orionartcenter.org.