MONROE - Monroe Art Center begins its 38th season with two new gallery exhibits on display from Friday, Sept. 6 through Friday, Oct. 18.
The exhibit "Wisconsin As We See It," which is based on their book with the same title, features the photography of seven professional photographers. The photographers, who go by the group name The Signature Seven, are Don Mendenhall, DeForest; Dave Peterson, Madison; Marcia Getto, Cedarburg; Wayne Brabender, Middleton; James Meldrum, Janesville; Dan Rich, Fitchburg; and Carl Bowser, Oro Valley, Ariz. They will also serve as judges for MAC's 24th annual Photography Contest and Exhibit.
Working in partnership on this book, these seven photographers came together during a photography art class at the Center for Photography in Madison.
"Our goal was to develop an individual 'signature style' that could be expressed in a body of work, such as a portfolio, an exhibit, or a book," said Mendenhall. "A 'signature style' is a personal and sometimes unique way of looking at and capturing the world with a camera. It is what would happen if a group of individuals were assigned to take a photograph of the same tree. Each would have a very different image capturing the essence of that tree. Such an assignment would give each photographer a rendering of that tree for their portfolios. If each photographer in that group applied that assignment again and again to a forest of trees, their signature styles would emerge over time."
Over the past three years these seven photographers have been establishing and refining their signature styles. Their book is a testament as to how they applied their signature styles to the subject of Wisconsin. Though each of the seven photographers possesses unique signature styles, they are in agreement that "Wisconsin is a great place to live and photograph."
On display in MAC's Wesley Hall through Oct. 18 are over 80 photographs entered in the 24th annual Photography Contest and Exhibit. This exhibit features the work by a total of 45 adult and junior photographers. Best of show, first runner-up, and second runner-up cash and ribbon awards will be given to photographers in both the adult and junior classifications.
An opening reception for both exhibits is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 in Frehner Gallery. Selected photographers from the Signature Seven group will provide a brief gallery talk at 5:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., they will announce the winners in the 24th annual Photography Contest. The free event is open to the public.
This exhibit has been made possible by MAC Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and Season Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC and Big Radio, with additional support from Michael and Shelley Muranyi, Kevin and Chris Callahan, Lee and Chris Knuteson, and an anonymous donor.
The exhibit "Wisconsin As We See It," which is based on their book with the same title, features the photography of seven professional photographers. The photographers, who go by the group name The Signature Seven, are Don Mendenhall, DeForest; Dave Peterson, Madison; Marcia Getto, Cedarburg; Wayne Brabender, Middleton; James Meldrum, Janesville; Dan Rich, Fitchburg; and Carl Bowser, Oro Valley, Ariz. They will also serve as judges for MAC's 24th annual Photography Contest and Exhibit.
Working in partnership on this book, these seven photographers came together during a photography art class at the Center for Photography in Madison.
"Our goal was to develop an individual 'signature style' that could be expressed in a body of work, such as a portfolio, an exhibit, or a book," said Mendenhall. "A 'signature style' is a personal and sometimes unique way of looking at and capturing the world with a camera. It is what would happen if a group of individuals were assigned to take a photograph of the same tree. Each would have a very different image capturing the essence of that tree. Such an assignment would give each photographer a rendering of that tree for their portfolios. If each photographer in that group applied that assignment again and again to a forest of trees, their signature styles would emerge over time."
Over the past three years these seven photographers have been establishing and refining their signature styles. Their book is a testament as to how they applied their signature styles to the subject of Wisconsin. Though each of the seven photographers possesses unique signature styles, they are in agreement that "Wisconsin is a great place to live and photograph."
On display in MAC's Wesley Hall through Oct. 18 are over 80 photographs entered in the 24th annual Photography Contest and Exhibit. This exhibit features the work by a total of 45 adult and junior photographers. Best of show, first runner-up, and second runner-up cash and ribbon awards will be given to photographers in both the adult and junior classifications.
An opening reception for both exhibits is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6 in Frehner Gallery. Selected photographers from the Signature Seven group will provide a brief gallery talk at 5:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., they will announce the winners in the 24th annual Photography Contest. The free event is open to the public.
This exhibit has been made possible by MAC Corporate Underwriter Colony Brands, Inc., and Season Media Underwriters Monroe Publishing, LLC and Big Radio, with additional support from Michael and Shelley Muranyi, Kevin and Chris Callahan, Lee and Chris Knuteson, and an anonymous donor.