June 2015: Exhibit Month / by John Ritchie

After not much action over the winter, suddenly I have three exhibits at once!

Moon Wash

Low Tide Landscapes

In collaboration with seven other members of the Willamette Valley PhotoArts Guild, we have a show called "Low Tide Landscapes" on display at the Unitarian Fellowship in Corvallis OR.  I have three photographs in the show, including "Moon Wash," a 30-second exposure under the full moon.

The show is on exhibit from May 20th to June 30th.  There is a reception on Friday, June 12th 2015 from 5:30 - 7 PM.

The Poet

A Life in Art

In another collaboration, eight writers from Linn Benton Community College teamed up with eight photographers to interview eight elders - people ranging in age from 82 to 102 - to produce a combined written and photographic portrait for each subject.

My subject was Dick Weinman, a local retired professor, radio personality, and fascinating individual.  Dick produces a blog entitled "The Thin Edge of Dignity" about life in an assisted living facility, viewable here: http://states.aarp.org/tag/dick-weinman/

Over the course of a month, "my" writer (Denzel Barrie) and I interviewed Dick a number of times, scheduled several photo shoots, and produced a framed piece.  This piece is on display with the other seven at the Linn Benton Benton Center in Corvallis.  The exhibit runs through the month of June.

This has been a fantastic project and I've really enjoyed working with both Denzel and Dick.

Couch Drunks

Street Couches

I've been juried into the Corrine Woodman Gallery in the Arts Center in Corvallis for a display of artistic couch photographs.  I've taken an interest in the photographic possibilities of the "Couch Season" - the end of the university year, when students flee town, leaving their old couches at the curbside for the city to take care of.  I will have nine couch photographs on display until June 27th.  Also on display will be Alexis Spakoski's ceramic tiles.  We will give a shared gallery talk at noon on Thursday, June 11th. 

Visit the Arts Center for more information: http://theartscenter.net/exhibit/story-behind-john-ritchie-alexis-spakoski/

UPDATE: The local newspaper, the Corvallis Gazette Times, interviewed me about this show and published a front-page article on it! The article can be read here: http://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/couch-patrol-finds-competition-at-the-arts-center/article_b52c3fa5-4693-5704-8514-cacd25505384.html