The pallor once earned from hours in the darkroom now can be seen on those who camp out in front of a computer perfecting digital images. Both old- and new-school photographers’ works will hang side-by-side at the Dover Art League’s newest exhibit, “The Silver Image,” which celebrates at its opening reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5.
Gallery director Linda Chatfield said this is a good time of year for a photography exhibit because people are busy inside, many of them processing photos taken over the holidays. For this show, it doesn’t matter how those photos were taken. Whether photographers opted for an old Rolleiflex or a digital Canon PowerShot, all were welcome to submit to this exhibit. The Art League did, however, encourage consider black and white images as that is the root of photography, according to Chatfield.
The interesting thing about this exhibit, Chatfield said, is that it draws people the Art League doesn’t always reach.
“I think it is a different type of artist. It is a person who isn’t necessarily trained in the use of their lands,” she said. “Also the digital age has allowed people who have an aesthetic eye to exercise it, to satisfy it, without having to learn to draw and paint or make pottery.”
Patricia Kokoszka of Magnolia is one of the artists who does double duty as a watercolorist and photographer. Her geisha series of photos will be on display at the exhibit.
The Delaware Technical & Community College student is studying photographic imaging and is continuing on to the Savannah College of Art and Design. She initially became interested after taking an introduction to photography class at Caesar Rodney High School and has been hooked since. She said working in digital photography was an easy transition, especially because darkroom time is limited. It also has made her more cognizant of color when working on watercolors.
Chatfield hopes the exhibit sparks an interest in some who haven’t considered photography before, or at least for them to look at the world around them more closely.
“A lot of the purpose of this organization is to inspire people to look at the world in an aesthetic way,” she said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT “The Silver Image” opening reception
WHEN 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5
WHERE Dover Art League, 21 W. Loockerman St., Dover
ADMISSION Free
MORE INFO Call 674-0402
Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com.
