There's nothing on my wall at all . . .  until . . .

Friday, the 25th. Then, that all changes . . . . . . because 5 pm Friday is when the first show this year at Gallery 54 in Skaneateles opens. It's titled "Limited Edition" and features the photographic art created by local photographer Tom Dwyer, a long time contributor to the walls of Gallery 54. The photo above won't make the wall but it will be there. I hope you join us to see for yourself what's getting hung tomorrow.  We'll have small bottles of water f or refreshments. Hey! It's Covid-19 2020.

What is art all about?

This is one of those questions many people hope is multiple choice. And, I think it's fair to say that as a generic question it probably should be because there can be many answers. The more important question though is, what is art about . . . to you or to me? That's not a question I can answer for you or you for me. Some people will say it's about beauty. Others will say it's about how it makes you feel. Still, others will offer that virtually anything done well is art.

Does nature speak to you?

It's been said that all it takes for something to be art is that it be called art by its creator. Thomas MacKeevely, the late professor of art history at Rice University suggested, "If it's called art, it is art." "In striving to create meaningful, expressive art," suggests photographic artist Tom Dwyer, "the art has to, first, be created intentionally to communicate to whomever its intended consumer is envisioned to be. If it's artful enough it will cause that consumer to pause, to take notice, to consider in some fashion what the art is about. More importantly, what it means to that consumer of art." 

The real question," says Dwyer, "is not ‘What is art?’ but what is the created piece (a mosaic, a

What might a tree on "Artist's Rock"
in the Catskill Mountains communicate to you?

painting, a musical score, a photograph, etc.) "about"?Does it communicate a message, any message, feeling, or emotion? After all,” he adds, “ a bright red, setting sun will likely elicit a different emotional response in lovers than it will for a young soldier on the field of battle. As a single long-stem rose laid gently on a casket carries a vastly different "feel" than the same rose might accompanying a birthday greeting. So to, each created piece of art may communicate a different message, to different people, at different times.”

Can photography be artful?

That begs another. Can a single photograph have meaning for you? Answer that question for yourself during the opening evening for this show, Sept. 25 from 5 to 8 pm. The show will feature "Limited Edition" prints of Dwyer's photography with each piece created to communicate its unique story. Dwyer is anxious to see and hear what his work communicates to you. "Limited Edition," framed as well as unframed prints will be available for purchase. 

The show will run through the month of October, at Gallery 54, 54 E. Genesee St, Skaneateles, NY.

Note: All Covid-19 regulations and precautions will be strictly observed for all show guests and artists.

Gallery 54 to Feature Limited Edition Photography

Gallery 54 will host its’ first art show of 2020 with the opening of a special, “Limited Edition” exhibition featuring never before seen images created by Central New York-based photographic artist, Tom Dwyer. The opening for this month-long show will be held at the gallery Sept. 25 from 5 to 8 pm.

An example of one of the “limited edition” prints in the Sept. 25th opening for this show.

As of this writing, all the images in this show, with one exception, have been created this year, according to Dwyer, in an effort to communicate what it was ‘about’ the subject that moved him to create the photograph.” He noted, “All art changes with time just as the work of all artists changes with each experience and completed piece.” Striving to create photographs that communicate something “about” his subjects as opposed to simply “of” his subjects continues to be a challenge and likely always will, he noted recently, adding “This effort accounts for all the images in the upcoming Gallery 54 show.”

Dwyer decided to introduce “very” limited edition prints (only 12 prints will ever be made of each limited edition photograph) “. . . because the harder I work at creating images “about” my subjects, the more my work changes, and because of these changes I expect what I am producing today will not be representative of my work in the future, just as today’s work is often not representative of past efforts.”

Don't just look . . . learn

On Saturday, September 26, the day after the show's opening , Tom will host a series of FREE, one-on-one workshops at the gallery, with subjects chosen by individual participants. "I want this to be an opportunity for people to get questions about photography answered ranging from the operation of their camera to questions about the "how-to" of creating the photograph itself." 

To reserve time for your one-on-one workshop just contact Tom by telephone at 315-420-3513.

Tom classifies himself as a “landscape photographer” noting that he strives to demonstrate that meaningful images of the grand landscapes as well as compositions within the landscape can be created wherever we might find ourselves. To further illustrate this belief, he says, all of the images in this September show were created in Upstate New York.

Known by many throughout Central New York for his nature photography workshops, Dwyer hopes this show will help illustrate the value to fellow photographers of striving to create photographs “about” their subjects. Toward that end, he has extended a special invitation to members of photography clubs in the greater Central New York area, as well as alumni of his workshops, to celebrate the opening of this show with him on the 25th. “Any Central New York photography club member or workshop alumni identifying himself/herself during the opening of this show will be eligible for a 15% discount on any photograph in the show or limited edition print ordered during the opening,” he said.