Lebanon Valley Council on the Arts’ newest exhibit featuring photography from Lebanon Camera Club members will debut during the First Friday Art Walk, June 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibit is on display at LVCOA’s Gallery 770, 770 Cumberland Street, Lebanon.
The exhibit features about 30 images that are the work of seven club members—Jeff Burroughs, Jodi Burroughs, Tom Gainer, Dawn Kiscadden, Keith Kotay, Deb Kreider and Rich Walter.
The exhibit features a range of styles including black & white photography, modern portraiture, fine art photography, nature scenes, abstract and landscapes. It runs throughout the month of June. Regular gallery hours are Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Group tours are available by appointment.
Courtney Reimann, a member of LVCOA’s board also serving as its secretary, said the group exhibit focuses on connecting with artists in the Lebanon community.
“This is the first time that members of the Lebanon Camera Club have had their work exhibited at our gallery,” she said. “We’re hoping people will come out for the First Friday Art Walk to support and appreciate the talent of their friends and neighbors.”
Keith Kotay, Lebanon Camera Club program chair and a member since 2013, said the organization was launched in the early 70s. Its mission is to foster interest in amateur photography and related hobbies. He said although it is the first time the camera club has had a group exhibit at the arts council, individual members have shown their work at the Lebanon Area Fair and at some area art galleries.
He said the camera club holds meetings the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Christ Fellowship Church, 1100 Hunter Chase Lane, Lebanon. Meetings are not held in July or August. The public is invited to attend meetings free of charge. However, to receive the club’s newsletter or to enter the monthly competitions held during the meeting, membership is required.
“You don’t need to be an experienced photographer to attend meetings or to join the club,” Kotay explained. “We have people with all levels of experience from beginners to seasoned photographers. All it takes is an interest in photograph or a desire to learn; we offer instruction. None of us [members] are professionals in the sense that we make a living selling our work; we’re just enthusiasts.”
He has presented workshops for club members since 2019, and a few other members also share their knowledge.
“Some of our workshops are basic with topics like how to resize a photo or how to judge a competition,” he said. “Others are a bit more advanced.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the club shifted to virtual meetings. In January, Kotay hosted a virtual workshop on image editing software via Zoom for club members. He repeated the workshop for the arts council in February.
“Organizing that workshop in February started the conversation about collaborating on a group exhibit,” he said. “We wanted the exhibit to be inclusive. Some of the members who are exhibiting work are newer to photography, while others have a lot of experience.”
The exhibit features a sampling of his work.
“I’ve always been a nature photographer, but I also like to do some special effects and black & white photography,” he explained. “Black & white presents a different way of looking at things. With a color photograph, people get caught up in the color; with a black & white image you take a closer look at the image itself.”
Lebanon Camera Club resumes in-person meetings this month. Kotay said although the group does not usually meet in August, a workshop is scheduled for to be held that month, but the topic has not been finalized. Information on the camera club and the August workshop can be found at its website and its Facebook page.
For more information about LVCOA, art exhibits or to submit artwork, visit the organization’s website or its Facebook page.
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