Fri 11/14 @ 5 – 8pm
Since 2007, the Society for Photographic Education (SPE) has been headquartered in Cleveland. This international organization is 50 years old, established as a go-to organization for those that teach photography at the college or graduate level, although these days members include those that teach on the high school level.
Having moved into the space a year ago, SPE debuted the gallery space with their first exhibition this past summer. SPE’s next and upcoming Cleveland exhibition features work curated from the society’s online member gallery and represents members from each of SPE’s regional chapters, international membership and its caucuses (LGBTQ, Multicultural, and Women’s), including photographers from across the Atlantic to right here in NEO and many places in between.
Executive Director Virginia Morrison oozes with excitement, “Some of the printing that is in this particular grouping is just exquisite…it takes my breath away. In curating this show, we took the work from our online member portfolios and we thought, ‘Now, this is something we want to showcase and put together in a show.’ Usually, we see these photos basically on our computer screen or thumbnail. There’s a huge difference in the viewers’ experience when looking at a screen of the work versus looking at an actual printed piece. In part of the show, we run the exhibiting artists’ online portfolios on a TV screen so people can see first digital images that were turning our heads. We then parlay that experience into the real in-person physical printed piece.”
Virginia passionately continues, “It’s an extraordinarily different feeling for both the digital image and the actual printed piece – I’m excited to walk both sides of the coin and share that with an audience because I do think as a people, we are so overwhelmed with visuals in a digital way — in our average work day, we’re slammed by images constantly…and I think we get kinda callous and resistant to it, as we must. But then when you see what they actually are as objects, you think…this is GREAT! Plus, the level of photography that is being done by our members is so committed, passionate and skilled that we get really good product.”
If you’re a photography enthusiast, collector or interested in prints, perspective and creativity…this exhibit is definitely something you’re going to want to check out.
“An added bonus is we are in a beautiful gallery and great space, with fantastic views of the city and gorgeous sunsets,” says Executive Director Virginia Morrison.
The opening reception is November 14th from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM in SPE’s headquarters, located in the ArtCraft building. It’s free and open to the public. Signed work by SPE artists will be for sale and refreshments will be served. Free parking is available in the lot behind the ArtCraft building. The exhibition will run through April of 2015 and can be seen during regular office hours, Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. If you can’t visit the gallery during regular office hours, you can make arrangements by calling to schedule another time at 216-622-2733.
For more info on the event, go to the Society for Photographic Education’s event page.