Gallery 54 Photo Expo

The jury's in.

We didn't set out to make life difficult for the recent artist jury at Gallery 54. Still, it turned out to be a challenging assignment as each of three artist/jurors set out to select the images that will be featured at the Gallery 54 Photo Expo, slated for May 6 to May 31.

Some fresh wall space, readied for
 the opening of the Gallery 54 Photo Expo.

The expo will feature images submitted by local photographers in a month-long exposition that will begin with a gala opening May 6 at the Skaneateles gallery. Looking forward to the expo one juror commented on the images, “These are just beautiful,” she said, “it's too bad we don't have more room. If we did we could have selected many more.”

Even though the Expo was only promoted locally, entries came from as far away as New York City, Kentucky and Montreal, Canada. The general public is invited to meet and mingle with many of the photographers who will be on hand for the May 6 opening.

The expo was the idea of artist/photographer Tom Dwyer, who promoted the opportunity on his blog and fine art nature photography forum. “We wanted to encourage our fellow, local photographers to create artistic images, images with feeling and 'something to say' to those who view them, versus simply composing pretty pictures. The work that we received is proof positive that Central New York is blessed with many creative and accomplished photographers,” he added.

Most of the images have been captured in Central New York, the Finger Lakes and the Adirondacks, while a few of the jury favorites were brought home by local photographers after visiting other areas of the country. All the seasons are represented and, besides the grand landscapes, some incredible close-up flower photography as well as wildlife photography is sure to impress visitors to the gallery.

Which images have been selected for the expo will remain a secret until the evening of the May 6 opening. “Even then,” the gallery owners note, “three featured images won't be unveiled until after the show opens.” All images will be available for purchase, as Giclée prints, framed and unframed. Special orders will also be accepted.

Light refreshments will be served. Gallery 54 is an upscale gallery of fine art and crafts, located at 54 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles, NY.