Juror's Statement: Andy Adams

As expected, the submissions for this inaugural juried exhibition were ripe with complex visual ideas from a wide variety of image-makers working throughout the United States. Narrowing my selections wasn’t easy, and I’m thrilled to have had the opportunity to play a small part in exposing the work of this year’s Steenbock Gallery photographers with the Madison public.

The hope in a call-for-entries exhibition like this is that the photo community responds with a diversity of images that present a wide range of photographic perspectives. I’m pleased to report that this show delivers in spades. There are photographs from many regional artists, but also from image-makers based in Florida, Arizona, New York and Tennessee. Despite their differences, these photographers are inspired by a curiosity that transcends subject matter to present an enlightened way of seeing our modern culture.  

These eighteen artists explore a diversity of themes, styles and genres in their respective projects and each of them is driven by a passion to explore the world ­by considering it through their camera’s lens. Not bound by a formal theme, I approached this assemblage with a free-form attitude — each image representative of its maker, a taste of what's available, should the viewer wish to pursue the work further.  

If you like what you see here, I hope that you’ll make time to learn about these artists; many of them maintain personal websites where you can follow their ongoing series work. And the Steenbock Gallery team has published a succession of stories about each of these photographers in their gallery blog at SteenbockCPM.blogspot.com that supplements this physical exhibition. I welcome you to consider these images not as an end result, but rather, a starting point for further discovery. Enjoy! 

Andy Adams

FlakPhoto.com

February 2011

NJE photographer: Lucy Helton

British photographer Lucy Helton is based in Brooklyn, New York and began her photographic career in freelance fashion assisting for Elaine Constantine.  She worked her way through the industry, and eventually worked as a production manager for Head of Production for Ridley Scott's RSA Films. Moving back to photography, Lucy worked for portrait photographers Greg Miller and Grant Delin, and eventually decided to return to school to study photography.  This history is strongly evidenced in Lucy's work about where she came from where she is, and where she's going.  Both of her pieces that Andy Adams selected are from her series Where I Was Conceived.

Callahan's Bedroom, inkjet print from b/w 4x5 film, 14" x 11"  [$250]

Grace, digital 35 inkjet print, 11" x 14"  [$250]

I grew up in London hearing stories of a remote farm my parents lived on before I was born.  Where I Was Conceived is a photogrphic journey which took me back in time exploring this starnge and surreal place, Rockne, Bastrop County, Texas.

Standing on the land my father once owned I felt an overwhelming sense of depth as I watched all the surrounding mammals and insects aggressively try to survive the heat and drought, the wild-fires, and poverty they brought, the ever continuing drug and alcohol abusiveness, the reactive religion and finally the flash floods.  Within that moment I also witnessed a strange harmony and peacefulness occur, I recognized a strong belief in family and after a time an evidence in the roles men and women perform when living in this climate.

My decision to make this work black & white is based on a return to my family's past.  I wanted to be open to all I found and demonstrated this by using all formats.  Large format for still-life and landscape as I could spend time examining detail and really enjoy the slow process.  Digital for action and low light and medium format for portraits.  It's also extremely important for me to try to understand and form a relationship with the people I shoot.  I spent lots of time talking, sitting, watching and perhaps living with my subjects - and in time they got used to having me and my camera in their lives.

See more from this series, and Lucy's other work at her website www.LucyHelton.com. The National Juried Exhibition will be at the Steenbock from February 28 until April 8 with an opening reception scheduled for March 4 from 6-9pm.

NJE photographer: William F. Lemke

Andy Adams selected twenty-four pieces for our National Juried Exhibition, from eighteen photographers.  Wisconsin landscape photographer Bill Lemke is one of the artists who had multiple pieces chosen for exhibition.

Joshua Tree 2, silver gelatin print, 22" x 28"  [$425]

East of Ross Point Ontario, silver gelatin print, 22" x 28" [$425]

I choose to photograph in black and white because it encourages me and the viewer to concentrate on texture, tonality and the emotional qualities of light. My images are created using either a 4"x5" or 8"x10" film camera. This is followed by traditional however tedious photographic darkroom processes, making silver gelatin prints. Each print is individually exposed and hand processed following archival standards set forth by Ansel Adams.

My interest in landscapes began with the many trips I took with my family growing up in the 1960's; typically trips out west. Through these trips, I developed a great appreciation for the beauty offered in unique plants, water and rock formations. While in high school, I took my first graphic arts class which included a unit on photography. This class forever changed my life; I knew my career and my life would be spent making photographs. I went on to study photography first formally, then informally while I gained experience in both fine art and commercial photography.

Learn more about Bill at his website, www.BillLemke.com.

See Bill's work along with the work of seventeen other talented American photographers at the exhibit, opening February 28 and running until April 8.  Come to the opening on March 4 from 6-9pm and maybe meet a few too!!

NJE photographer: Paul Thoresen

Today's photographer is the inimitable Dr. Paul Thoresen. Paul does it all.  Paul is a Madison-area psychologist.  He is always off to meditation workshops and zen retreats, which help him, as Steenbock Committee chairman, to keep this committee on task and on key. He serves on the board of the Center for Photography at Madison.  Paul is also, aside from all of that, a stunning photographer.  To say that he creates photographs of cows sorely undermines the work that Paul actually creates, and his work has been part of a variety of group shows at the Steenbock and beyond.

Milk Vessels 2, digital print, pigmented ink on cotton rag, 20" x 26" [$250]

Paul has a website, but it's for his practice.

Please make your plans now to attend the opening reception for this exhibit March 9 from 6-9pm.  Can't make it to the reception?  The exhibit is up from February 28 until April 8.

NJE photographer: Justin Nolan

Our final photographer profiled this week is Justin Nolan.  Justin is a Wisconsin photographer, who has a list of corporate clients including Lands End, Trek, Motorola and American Girl. The piece selected for our the National Juried Exhibit is from Justin's Environment series, images of the interactions of landscape and manmade forms.

Prison, color photograph, 18" x24" [$500]

See more of Justin's personal and professional portfolios at JustinNolan.com, and be sure to come back next week to meet more artists.  

The exhibit opens February 28 and runs until April 8, with an opening reception scheduled for March 4 from 6-9pm.  We hope to see you there!!

NJE Photographer: Nick Wilkes

Nick Wilkes is the third Wisconsin photographer featured this week. Primarily a portrait photographer, Nick often focuses on architecture and landscape, always with the same magnetism.  We're proud to feature one of his landscapes in our National Juried Exhibition.

White Dome, digital inkjet print, 12" x 42" [$1250]

I started taking photos when I was a kid. I've stopped a bunch of times over the years due to hopelessness, weariness, and/or lack of funds, but I always seem to get back on the horse. Depressing a shutter button is a visceral feeling for me, maybe like landing an uppercut or slicing a tomato is for somebody else. I think we all have something that makes us feel sharp and vivid and alive; photography is one of those somethings for me.

Some people are experts, but I am not. I am a dabbler, a gerrymanderer, a jack-of-some-trades. Though I have spent years photographing, I have not cut out an area of particular interest and expertise. I do have preferences: I prefer working with passionate, positive people. I prefer strong contrast, less focus on color and more on line, shape, and form. I prefer bright, clear eyes in a photograph than just about anything else... that, or maybe a desolate, abandoned doorway nobody has stepped though in years. When given the choice, I go for naked, traditional, and natural over garnished, modern, or contrived. Simple and raw moments are my favorites to capture.

Visit Nick's website at www.NickWilkesPhotography.com for more stunning work, and come back tomorrow for the final artist profile this week!

The exhibit opens on February 28 and runs until April 8.  Join us at the opening reception March 4 from 6-9pm at the Steenbock Gallery, 1922 University Avenue in Madison WI.

NJE photographer: Gregory Parker

Anyone familiar with the Center for Photography at Madison's Photo Midwest, is already familiar with the design work of Gregory Parker.

The look of Photo Midwest is largely attributed to Greg and when you look at the past PMW website, catalog, or posters, you're looking at Greg.  Like a lot of designers, Greg is also a photographer, and his photography exhibits a similar exploration of shape, light and texture that makes his design work instantly recognizable.

Sunday Morning, archival inkjet print, 15" x 14" [NFS]

See more of Greg's work at OneFourNineDesign.com, or more of his photography at his Flickr page.

The exhibit opens on February 28 and runs until April 8.  Join us at the opening reception March 4 from 6-9pm at the Steenbock Gallery, 1922 University Avenue in Madison WI.

National Juried Exhibition photographer: Tonya Tubbs

Today, we're starting our profiles of each photographer selected by our National Juried Exhibition juror, Andy Adams of FlakPhoto.  Andy selected twenty-four pieces from eighteen photographers; we received 282 entries from across the country.

Check back every weekday for an introduction to a different artist, links to their other work, and a digital preview of their selected piece(s).

Our first artist is Tonya Tubbs.

Foggy Creek, digital photograph, 22" x 28"   [$275]

I was born in Wisconsin and grew up there with a brother and a sister. We had a lot of family times outside, camping, playing sports, fishing, etc. So I have always had an appreciation of Nature. I have always been creative, however, not an artist before this time in my life. 
I am married now and have been blessed with five wonderful children that inspire and amaze me everyday. Yes, of course, they also make me crazy sometimes too! I am a normal Mom!  I owe this newfound love of photography to my children. After years of staying home with them, I found I needed something creative and challenging for myself, to preserve the "me" in the "Mom". So, seeing that I had five great subjects around me, I decided to ask Santa for a camera one year. From that moment on you can say it was "love at first sight". I was totally hooked and constantly had the camera in my hand.

I then began to study with a fine art photographer, Peter Thompson, whom had studied with many of the great photographers from the past. He patiently, but persistently guided me into learning the technical side of photography. Since that time, my passion has grown right along side my technical experience. The moments right before making a photograph and the actual "click" of the shutter, are incredible and almost like a time machine. I am momentarily transported to another world, a world of color, texture and immense feelings. It is a sensory overload!  All other distractions from Life, such as kids yelling, To Do Lists, laundry baskets, dishes, etc. are not existent at the moment of my "click". 

The way I find my "subjects" is easy. Whatever catches my eye and stimulates my heart and mind is deserving of a photograph. That is why my "style" is so diverse. I, myself, am very diverse and therefore the things in this world that interest me are diverse. For me, photography has really allowed me to fully "see" what is around me in this beautiful world we live in. Before photography, I didn't really see - I was just looking at things that passed me by.  

So please take a moment to "see" and enjoy my photographs.

See more of Tonya's work at TonyaTubbs.com.

The exhibit opens on February 28 and runs until April 8.  Join us at the opening reception March 4 from 6-9pm at the Steenbock Gallery, 1922 University Avenue in Madison WI.

2011 EXHIBITION SCHEDULE

January 17- February 25 

Amy Mietzel's Cherokee Middle School Students TAKE SOMETHING ORDINARY

February 28-April 8

NATIONAL EXHIBITION, juried by Andy Adams of Flak Photo

April 11-May 20 

UW-Madison PHOTO STUDENT SHOW 

May 23-July 1 

Lisa Frank THE NATURE OF PATTERN  

July 4- August 12 

Tyler Robbins SUBURBAN

August 15-September 23 

Samantha VanDeman LOST SCHOOLS

September 26-November 4 

Kendall McMinimy SUMMER ECLIPSED

November 7- December 30
People of the Big Voice: Photographs of Ho-Chunk Families by Charles Van Schaick, 1879-1942
sponsored by the Wisconsin Historical Society

More information about each exhibit is always available at our Facebook page...just click the logo to the right! Be sure to visit the artists' websites, and to come back during exhibits for interviews with the artists and reviews! It's going to be a gorgeous exhibition season!

CALL FOR WORK: National Juried Exhibition at the Steenbock Gallery

February 28 - April 8, 2011

sponsored by 

The Center for Photography at Madison.

Entry Deadline: November 15, 2010

The Center for Photography at Madison is pleased to issue the call for our first juried national exhibition at the Steenbock Gallery.  As Madison's primary photographic arts organization, we are pleased to partner with Andy Adams of FlakPhoto.com in presenting an exhibition of contemporary photography that will offer chosen photographers an opportunity to exhibit in Madison’s first gallery exclusively dedicated to the photographic arts.  Specifically designed to allow participation by all working photographers this exhibit will provide a dialogue between emerging photographers, students, professionals, educators and artists in Madison and across the country. In addition to cash prizes, the winning photographer will be awarded a future solo exhibition at the Steenbock Gallery.

Juror: Andy Adams of Flak Photo

Andy Adams is the Editor/Publisher of FlakPhoto.com, a contemporary photography website that celebrates the culture of image-making by promoting the discovery of artists from around the world.  An online art space and photography publication, the site provides opportunities for a global community of artists and photo organizations to share new series work, book projects, and gallery exhibitions with a web-based photography audience.

Recent features include 3030 Press' New Photography In China, Humble Arts Foundation's 31 Under 31: Young Women in Art Photography, Hamburger Eyes Photo Magazine's Inside Burgerworld, the Photographic Resource Center’s EXPOSURE: The Annual PRC Juried Exhibition, Big City Press' Hijacked, Volume One: Australia andAmerica, Center's Review Santa Fe 2009, David Wright + Ethan Jones' Pause To Begin, the Center for Fine Art Photography's 2009 International Exhibition, Blurb’s Photography Book Now, and the Magenta Foundation's Flash Forward: Emerging Photographers 2009.

Calendar

Nov. 15, 2010 Entry deadline

Dec. 1, 2010 Review of works

Jan. 7, 2011 Photographers notified

Feb. 24, 2011 All work delivered to gallery

Feb. 28-April 8, 2011       Exhibition Dates

March 4, 2011(6-9pm) Opening reception

April 9, 2011 Pick up of unsold work

April 11, 2011 Shipping pick up*

*Photographer schedules pick up of work with preferred shipper.

PRIZES AND SPONSORS

FIRST PRIZE

$500 cash prize and a solo exhibition at the Steenbock Gallery in 2012.

SECOND PRIZE

$250 cash prize

THIRD PRIZE

$100 cash prize

*Honorable mentions may be awarded at juror's discretion.

All accepted works must be at the Steenbock Gallery (hand delivery or shipped) by 4:30pm on February 24. Any pieces not received by this time will not be exhibited.

All unsold works must be picked up by 12noon on April 9. All unsold works must be picked up by shippers by 4:30pm on April 11. Artists are responsible for paying and arranging their own shipping.

Any additional, detailed shipping instructions will be sent later following notification of acceptance

Upon notification of acceptance, Artist agrees to:

•provide artwork that is ready to be hung:

2D work must be prepared with hanging wire.

3D work must sit sturdily on pedestal or floor.

*arrange pick-up of unsold artwork on either April 9 (for artist or buyer pick-ups) or April 11 (by artist designated shipping company.)

SIZE AND WEIGHT No work may exceed 5 ft. in any direction or be over 50 pounds in weight.

SALES: A 30% commission will be retained by the gallery on all sold works. Work remains the property of the artist until sold.  Sold artwork shall remain in the exhibition until the close of the show. 

INSURANCE: Artists should self-insure work during transit and while on exhibit.

INVITATION AND WEBSITE One image will be chosen for the invitation cover design. Images of accepted works and profiles of selected artists will be featured at http://www.steenbockcpm.blogspot.com.

ENTRY CHECKLIST

[   ] CD: Up to 5 works submitted on CD. One jpeg per work, titled as name_number.jpg. Must be numbered to correspond with numbers on entry form. Jpegs should be 1000 pixels (minimum) In longest dimension, and at 300 dpi.

[   ] Entry form: Filled out completely and typed or printed clearly. Detach and return with CD and fee

[   ] Entry fee: Non-refundable fee of $25 payable by check, money order or cashier's check. Make payable to The Center for Photography at Madison, include Steenbock Juried Show in memo line.

[   ] SASE: Include a self-addressed stamped envelope for the return of non-accepted material. CDs will not be returned without it.

Please do not include any additional or unrequested material.

AGREEMENT Signature gives artist's consent to all conditions specified in this prospectus. Submission of your entry grants CPM permission to use your artwork or reproduction of likeness in promotional materials for this exhibition.

Signature: ____________________________

Please send form to:

The Center for Photography at Madison

attn: 2011 Steenbock Juried Exhibition

303 South Paterson Street, Suite 2E

Madison Wl 53703

The Steenbock Gallery in the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences Arts & Letters.

1922 University Avenue

Madison Wl 53726

The Steenbock Gallery, sponsored and managed by the Center for Photography at Madison in partnership with the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters, is dedicated to the exhibition, exploration and appreciation of the photographic arts. The Steenbock Gallery provides opportunities for photographers and curators, and serves as a forum for dialogue between artists educators, students and the public at large.

ABOUT CPM and THE WISCONSIN ACADEMY

In 2008 The Center for Photography at Madison (CPM) partnered with the Wisconsin Academy for exhibit space. CPM is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1998, and offers a broad range of educational programs, exhibitions, facilities and publications. CPM offers classes, exhibit opportunities, and a wide variety of programs at its Paterson Street location.

The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters is a non-profit organization whose goal Is to connect people and ideas from all areas of knowledge and all walks of life to celebrate thought, culture and nature in our state. The Steenbock is one of two galleries affiliated with the Academy, the other being the James Watrous Gallery.

Administration of the Steenbock Gallery makes CPM relevant and accessible to a wider audience including University of Wisconsin faculty and students. These mutually beneficial liaisons provide exhibition, curatorial, and administrative opportunities, and help make it Madison's first photo gallery devoted to the history, contemporary trends, and future expansion of photographic media and theory. Located in the Wisconsin Academy building, the Steenbock Is readily accessible to the UW campus and affiliated organizations, and the greater Madison area.

GALLERY HOURS: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

CONTACT fNFORMATION

Phone(CPM): 608.287.1182

 (gallery): 608 263 1692

email steenbockcpm@gmail.com

blog http://www.steenbockcpm.blogspot.org

websites www.cpmad.org and www.wisconsinacademy.org