Tomorrow's Photographers Today

Homer Rainbow by Sherry Dans

The traditional First Friday celebration in Skaneateles will offer a glimpse of the future beginning November 3 as Gallery 54 marks the opening of a month-long exhibition of photographs from the winners of this year's Central New York Photo Expo.

This year's CNY Photo Expo was open only to photographers who reside in CNY and to their images of CNY subjects. From 5 to 8 pm this years winners will be on hand to discuss their work and the experiences they enjoyed in creating them.

Gallery 54 is proud to be able to introduce so many photographers whose work is new to much of the Central New York community,

Syracuse Air Show by Sue Armstrong

according to Tom Dwyer, one of Gallery 54's owners and it's resident fine art photographer. Dwyer helped coordinate this year's contest. He commented “this reception offers Central New Yorkers the opportunity to not only meet some really talented local photographers but to also purchase prints of their prize winning efforts as well as framed editions.

Mid-evening, cash awards will be presented to Grand Prize winner, Teresa Letkiewicz; First Place winner, Rachel Thompson; Second Place winner, Sue Armstrong and Third Place winner, Sherry Dans.

Keeping it clean by Rachel Thompson

This year's judges, photographers Phil Spitz, Norm Schillawaski and Chris Murray, all recognized leaders in the CNY photographic community, will also be joining the celebration.

The gallery will feature the music of Chris Molloy and his blue harp, along with wine tasting from Skaneateles' own Anyela's Winery. As usual, refreshments will be served.

Gallery 54 is an upscale gallery of fine art and fine craft, located at 54 E. Genesee St., Skaneateles, NY.

SU by Teresa Letkiewicz

November gallery hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10-5; Friday and Saturday, 10-6.

www.gallery54cny.com 315-685-5470.

Gallery 54 Features Kew Garden Artist

The Kew Gardens, botanical gardens in southwest London, are not only the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world, they are also where artist Christi Sobel served an internship in botanical illustration in England. Gallery 54 is pleased with the opportunity to introduce Christi to the Central New York community as its guest artist for October.

Christi Sobel

 A selection of Christi's latest creations will be exhibited and Christi herself will be on hand to greet our guests from 5 to 8 pm, Friday, October 6.

Christi traces her creative interests to her childhood when she started drawing mushrooms and horses. She subsequently trained in scientific illustration, what she refers to as “that obscure field which melds science, natural history, and fine art” obtaining a bachelor's degree in biology and art at Eastern University in St. Davids, PA. In addition to her internship with the Kew Gardens, she completed grad school in science illustration at UC Santa Cruz, in California.

Her work reflects what she finds “beautiful and interesting in the Creation around us,” she says, “bringing attention to the details that might otherwise go unnoticed.”

Her show at Gallery 54 will feature acrylic paintings on boards. She noted that she “likes to let the wood grain and organic shapes show and become part of the design.” Christi closely observes the natural world and credits her love of travel and the way she is able to absorb the environment around her with helping her capture her impressions and feelings about the places she visits.

“Art is an organic process which is always evolving,” she says. She's inspired by what she finds striking in the natural world and the ability of her art to bring attention to unnoticed and colorful detail in clean elegant design. She finds it particularly rewarding to raise environmental awareness and communicate meaningfully through her art.

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. This show opening will also feature the music of Jane Zell along with wine and light refreshments.