From LONG ISLAND – by Ann Parry (ann-parry.com)
February 14, 2023

REFLECTIONS – The Art Guild
Exhibit on view until March 4, 2023, every Sat. & Sun., 1-5pm
200 Port Washington Blvd., Manhasset

The Art Guild’s Reflections reception

Something surprising happened at The Art Guild’s reception and awards ceremony for its Reflections photography exhibit.

Much was as expected. The artwork was varied and creative, the refreshments downright lavish. Catching up with some of my photographer friends, including Sara and Marc Josloff, Steve Silberstein, and Susan Kozodoy Silkowitz was so much fun. 

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First Place – Adults:  KENNY NG, Whimsy

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And, as is usually the case, the juror was there to discuss the winning artworks.

Debbie Wells – she of the big smile – was the Reflections juror. Her past experiences include Immediate Past Pres. and Curator of Art League of Long Island, Founding Partner of Artful Circle, Asst. Dir. of Roslyn Landmark Society, and Staff Artist at Richner Communications. Artful Enrichment is her brand-new company.

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First Place – High School Students:  CHARLOTTE CHAN, Eye of the Beholder

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Wells shared feedback about each of the 11 winning photographs as she handed out the awards. Since I was capturing photos of the event, particularly the winners, she didn’t have my undivided attention. But I did notice she included solid info. 

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Second Place – Adults:  MARCEIL KAZICKAS, Blue Over Me 

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Seven awards in, Wells announced my name, for my photograph ‘WEN EKROY’ won an honorable mention.
I took photos of her as I walked up for the award. When she started reading feedback on my photo of iconic Manhattan buildings reflected in the windows of the Javitts Center at dusk, I was still half-focused on what photos to capture next.

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Second Place – High School Students:  HELEN MURPHY, Night and Day

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Then Wells’ comparison of qualities of my photo to a ‘Red Grooms’ landscape jolted me to attention.
Red Grooms! Back in 2009, the Nassau County Museum of Art had an electric display of his colorful, vibrant work that I visited more than once.
In fact, one of my photos of his huge sculpture ‘Jumbo’ of the grounds of NCMA was licensed years ago for use in a nationwide exam. [See a ‘Jumbo’ photo at end of this post.]

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Third Place – Adults:  CAROL MILAZZO-DIRENZO, Pemaquid Reflection

• • Because Carol Milazzo-DiRenzo wasn’t present, her husband MIKE DIRENZO accepted her award on her behalf.

   

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, TAG Co-President ILENE SILBERSTEIN and an exhibiting photographer attend The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com) [/caption]

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Hmmm, Red Grooms landscapes… My ‘WEN EKYOY’…. Red Grooms landscapes….  Yes, I could totally see it!
For years I’ve been familiar with Red Grooms’ work and, of course, my ‘WEN EKROY.’ As I reflected on the similarities, I was surprised how clear they were and how they had clearly escaped my notice.

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Third Place – High School Students:  LEXI HUGEL, The Dock

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, Juror DEBBIE WELLS; LEXI HUGEL, who won Third Place in the High School Student category; and Hugel’s teacher, participate at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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After reading feedback about each winner, Wells handed the artist a print out of it taped to the award. That made it easy and more likely to reflect on what she said later.

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Honorable Mention – RICHARD FROMAN, Moment of Silence

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. L-R, Juror DEBBIE WELLS presents an Honorary Mention award to RICHARD FROMAN for his photograph ‘Moment of Silence’ at The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony and Reception for its Reflections photography exhibit. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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Here’s what was on the paper Debbie Wells handed to me:

‘HON. MENTION – Wen Ekroy – Ann Parry’
This grid patterned photograph allows the viewer to look at the New York City skyline with a fresh perspective. The grid grounds the composition, while the horizontal section on the top shows a reflective and delicate web of lines.
Below, the artist presents warbled and distorted shapes of iconic skyscrapers, such as the Empire State Building in the center.
The buildings look animated, like a Red Grooms landscape. The photograph shines with originality because it is rare to see architecture and geometric lines look alive with unexpected verve.
The title, Wen Ekroy – New Yorke(r) spelled backwards – is a humorous commentary on the New Yorker building’s signage and quite fitting in the Reflections theme.

Honorable Mention – ANN PARRY, WEN EKROY

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Honorable Mention – DAVID WOLLIN, Wooden Boat

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Honorable Mention – DEBRA WALLACE, Broken Branch & Reflections

• • • • Debra Wallace wasn’t present to accept her award.

     

Manhasset, N.Y., U.S. Feb. 11, 2023. At center front, TAG member and exhibiting artist MARC JOSLOFF is among exhibitors, members, and guests watching The Art Guild’s Awards Ceremony for its Reflections photography exhibit for high school students and adults at historic Elderfields. (© 2023 Ann Parry/AnnParry.com)

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Honorable Mention – ANNETTE KASLE, In the Forest Primeval

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After the reception, TAG member Steve Silberstein helped out in the office:

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FEATURE PHOTO (at top of post) is based on: Manhasset, N.Y, U.S. February 11, 2023.  KENNY NG, the First Place winner for his photograph ‘Whimsy,’ attends The Art Guild reception for its Reflections exhibition.

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NOTE: Links to others’ sites are for readers’ convenience only.
T.A.G. Reception: my Photo Gallery

The Art Guild:  theartguild.org
Artful Enrichment: ArtfulEnrichment.com
CONTACT ME

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Here’s my photo of Red Grooms’ sculpture ‘Jumbo’ at Nassau County Museum of Art in 2009: