Turning a lens on seasons
Chesterton exhibit focuses on Duneland Photography Club
The pandemic-mandated shelter-in-place weeks of last year inspired an artistic approach to and appreciation of everyday rewards, Chesterton Art Gallery President Wendy Marciniak surmises.
“There were so many more people during this time who made the most of getting outside for a walk, be it in their neighborhood or to a park or any open space, and usually with camera cellphone in hand,” Marciniak said.
“It’s when you’re out and about, and not expecting it, that you can capture some incredible moments.”
The “incredible moments” Marciniak describes from the past 11 months are the images submitted by 30 of the 90 members of the Duneland Photography Club for a new exhibit titled Seasons Change and So Did I showcased March 6 to March 31 at Chesterton Art Center.
“The title of the show gives an interpretation of the theme of how our seasons change with nature, and so do we,” Marciniak said.
“The photos in the exhibit display the beauty of winter, spring, summer and fall, with change featured in each either literally or metaphorically. We decided on the title and theme of the show taken from the song ‘No Time’ by The Guess Who, which includes the lyric ‘Seasons change and so did I,’ words which capture so much of the experience of this past year.”
Marciniak, who has been president of the Chesterton Art Center for seven years, said her staff “quietly acknowledged” the gallery’s 60-year milestone in November, after having been closed until July, when the slow reopening process began.
“We’ve been hosting monthly exhibits since our reopening, but this new photo exhibit is one of the larger and more comprehensive offerings,” Marciniak said.
“Most of last year, including our summer camps and student classes, were hosted as virtual courses.”
She said masks must be worn to attend the free indoor exhibit and social distancing observed while strolling the gallery rooms in the space located at 115 S. 4th St. in Chesterton.
Duneland Photography Club President Steve Bensing said the exhibit is a blend of both “emerging and established” photographers with the show’s content intended to depict optimism for all as global society “moves on from difficult times to better days ahead.”
“Our Duneland Photography Club has been around in its present form for about 10 years,” Bensing said.
“In spite of the challenges of 2020, we have continued to grow our membership. We are excited
to have a mix of members as a part of this exhibit. Some are seasoned artists, and others are brand new to the process of exhibiting their work and they are extra excited to share their talent.”
Bensing said his organization had to become more creative in the past year with altered arrangements and additional planning and accommodations, including hosting both outdoor meetings and Zoom virtual gatherings as well as focusing members’ attention to more outdoor photo shoots.
“Our mission has always been to provide instruction and mentoring for photo enthusiasts at all levels,” Bensing said.
“More recently, in addition to interacting online, we are planning to meet in-person at least once each month for activities.”
He said the group usually plans meetings just outside Valparaiso at the Sunset Hill Farm County Park in the Horton Family Education
Center on the second Tuesday of each month.
Bensing said the Seasons Change and So Did I exhibit includes nearly 90 photo works ranging from landscapes, insects and animals to closely focused
themes of objects and flowers, all framed by interesting compositions and perspectives.
“We describe ourselves as a ‘teaching club,’ and we are here to provide help and encouragement to anyone with an interest,” Bensing said.
Marciniak worked with Bensing in recent months to plan new and innovative art class programming at Chesterton Art Center offering beginner and advanced courses in cellphone photography.
“One of the many wonderful aspects of being part of the Duneland Photography Club is that Steve and the members make photography a very approachable art form,” Marciniak said.