In the Gallery

Photographs by ChathamArts Gallery member photographers and the Chatham Camera Club will be on exhibit at the ChathamArts Gallery in historic downtown Pittsboro during the month of January.

You can meet some of the artists during a gallery reception on Saturday, January 6, from 12 noon to 5, when Pittsboro galleries, shops and eateries will be open for First Sunday, with arts and crafts for sale on the street. ChathamArts Gallery, which sells a wide range of local arts, is also open every week Tuesday through Saturday 11-5, at 121 Hillsboro St. 919-542-4144.

Gerald O. Dukes - "Photography is my passion. Capturing moments, seeing the unseen, photos tells stories that never die. The art of photography is to freeze everything; to make time stop. Most of my photography focuses on nature. Nature always has something new to display. Everything I see is a photographic moment. Becoming a photographer has been one of the best things that ever happened to me. I love the places it has taken me, the people I have met. The other side of my photography is doing weddings, portraits, and children. "

R.L. Parker - "My goal is to portray common things in a way that evokes the pleasure of seeing something familiar as if for the first time. My approach often takes the form of a closer-than-usual, sometimes abstract point of view. I use texture, composition, color, light and shadow in pursuit of the evocative image."

Elaine A. Rhoades Photographer Elaine A. Rhoades, cpp has been a member of ChathamArts since shortly after moving to Pittsboro in May 2006. She has a studio in Pittsboro where she works on portraitures and special projects. Her most recent project is a fundraiser for prostate cancer called "Calendar Guys," which is available for sale at www.prostatecalendarguys.com, www.lulu.com and at the ChathamArts Gallery. You can see more of Elaine’s work at her website www.picturemestudio.com . Her husband, Bill Lahtinen works with her building her frames, framing her work, and more recently setting up photo shoots.

Claire Levitt – Using her 35 year old Contax cameras, Levitt says she composes her photos through the lens. Photography has been a passion in Claire’s life for many years. She is attracted to shapes, textures and colors which catch her eye and can be captured on film. "I almost always hone in on my subjects so that they become abstract and frequently challenge the viewers’ reaction to them." Her philosophy - keep it simple.

Cara O’Connell - "At sixteen I worked in Mystic Seaport doing antique large format photographs, and was ski photographer at Breckenridge Colorado in my 20’s. I was a carpenter for 13 years. I have been a Physical Therapist for 10 years, and continue to work in that field nearly fulltime. In all my work I utilize my visuo-spatial awareness, academics and manual skills. I have been a serious photographer working in my darkroom for many years. "

Roy Lindholm – "I’ve always loved photography and used it extensively to spice up my geology lectures at the George Washington University. I taught there for a career before retiring to Chapel Hill in 1996. My photo epiphany came in late 2002 when I bought my first digital camera. My favorite subjects include dragonflies, butterflies, flowers, and medieval European towns. I rarely photograph people other than daughters, granddaughters and the UNC women’s soccer team."

Also exhibiting are Jim Kenny, Elaine O'Shields, and Andy Manhardt from the Chatham Camera Club.

ChathamArts Gallery exhibits and sells a range of original works by local artists, Tuesdays-Saturdays 11 to 5 and every First Sunday 12 noon to 5, 121 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro, 919-542-4144.