Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Peaceful Death Valley NP Showcased at Gallery 54


“I was literally and figuratively blown away during my recent visit to Death Valley National Park,” says Tom Dwyer, a Gallery 54 photography artist. “I traveled to the famous park in Southern California, and just north and west of Las Vegas, NV for a photography class being conducted by noted photography artist Guy Tal. I had little real interest in the park itself,” Dwyer notes, “until the 115 mile drive from Las Vegas to Stovepipe Wells Village in the park changed all that.”

Mosaic Canyon
He was blown away by the “park's grandeur, vastness, and peacefulness,” he says adding, “ I quickly felt challenged to try and capture as much of the 5,000 square mile park's character as I could in my brief visit.” Thus the name for Dwyer's show opening May 5 at Gallery 54, Peaceful Valley – one man's visit to Death Valley National Park.

Dwyer's photography has been part Gallery 54 for almost five years. “It's a misnomer,” he says, “to suggest that I've been self taught, despite the fact that I don't have any formal education in photography. But, in reality we are all taught by those who have gone before us as well as others who are running the same race we are.” He says he's been fortunate to be able to learn from classes and workshops conducted by top nature photographers including luminaries like Guy Tal, George Lepp, and Margo Pinkerton.
Mesquite Sand Dunes

I think we also have to recognize the impact of photographs we see in magazines, in galleries like Gallery 54, at art shows and in the work of fellow photographers on our own efforts,” he says.

Besides his photography, Dwyer is known for the photography workshops he leads, primarily in the Fingerlakes and Adirondack regions of New York. “We can't forget that as workshop leaders, we also benefit from each workshop we conduct because of our exposure to the work of students and the opportunity the workshops present for us to help others stretch in their photography . . . which often leads to learning opportunities for us as well,” he notes.
Ubehebe Crater

Dwyer's photography has been featured in venues as diverse as the Image City Photography Gallery in Rochester, NY; the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, NY; and galleries and stores through-out upstate New York.

The Death Valley images that Dwyer will exhibit will all be available for purchase as custom giclee´ prints as well as for custom framing.

Gallery 54 will open Peaceful Valley – one man's visit to Death Valley National Park from 5 to 8 pm on Friday, May 5. The special show will run through the end of May.


Toro RunWinery from Ovid, NY is scheduled to conduct wine tastings during the show opening and light refreshments will be served. Gallery 54 is an upscale venue for Central New York artists that showcases and sells unique, inspired, and timeless art in a diversity of mediums.