Our current exhibit is Masks Spirits & Dreams by Steve Levinson, Gallery Partner. This show Steve presents a  series of surrealistic photographs on three different but aligned  subjects: Masks -- Mendon Ponds Park is transformed into an unreal wonderland of strange creatures; Spirits -- The ancient spirits of earlier residents share the reality of  what you see today in Italy and Sicily; and Dreams - Unsettling photographs that may depict unconscious thoughts and dreams. Steve's objective of this show is to challenge the viewer and allow them to put their own interpretation on these images. These Black-and-White photographs are a new direction change for Steve since the Spring of 2017 and he is excited to share this new work with you.

Hanging On by Steve Levinson - Steve's panel of print of actors wearing elaborate and often fearsome masks are dramatic, compelling and artistically choreographed. Masks are an important element in everyone's daily lives, particularly in the area of conversation. We all have a hidden mask, and when we speak to other people, what we say is received through their masks. The result is that often words and actions can easily be misconstrued and can lead to corrective statements such as "What I really meant was," and "What I thought I heard was." I chose Hanging On, to comment further on because it upliftingly captures the concept of fear and scariness. I admire the fact that the actor is wearing a featureless, drab outfit, so that all attention is directed at the ferocious lion-like head, where the teeth, fangs and menacing look appear very real that one is encountering a fiendish, untamed creature. Added to the demeanor of this beast is the outstretched fingers, although happily no claws are visible. Certainly, if such a creature really existed and confronted you in this forest setting, almost everyone would beat a hasty retreat. There is however a different scenario that is easily overlooked. The mask which has been deliberately put on by the owner, maybe a sign that this person is lonely and just wants to be that way. Disguise, however subtle, and this is not implied in this case, is a person's way of standing out or acting playfully, but it is more likely that it is someone who has problems. This depiction of an unreal world can very easily be a sign of the real world.

CHIPSby Boris Keller - Boris states in his biography that he doesn't want to alter the subject in any way when taking the photograph, but functions as an observer. However, this photograph is not just a record, by selecting the subject and framing he includes a part of himself in creation of this photograph. This photograph is divided into four almost equal quadrants...each with its own character. The quadrants do work together...green, yellow, and blue, red with a gray sidewalk. The bench and woman (looking away from the photographer) add to the composition. The woman has white hair and a black dress, along with a light-colored coat. She brings daily life into the photograph. She probably sits there often, frequently a part of the scene. The entire photography could be a way of portraying comfort in the neighborhood.The storefront is green, offering breakfast with the casual legs of a patron in the doorway.  They are dark and in shadows, allowing the viewer to discover this as they look at the photograph. This is very well composed and executed photograph, a lesser photographer might only show a portion of the scene, depriving us of the discoveries we find as we spend more time observing this photo.Chips upstairs is on a sign in bold graphic letters while below it is a hand-written sign on cardboard, casually drawn by hand. Another contrast to ponder.