Clifton Forge, Va. (VR) – The Fourteenth Regional Photography exhibit, Fx2, is now open at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center in Clifton Forge, VA. The exhibit contains 85 images by 27 photographers in seven categories. It will be on exhibit through December 27. Regular Center hours are 10-4:30 Monday through Saturdays, and Sundays from 1-4 p.m. The Center is located at 439 E Ridgeway St. Clifton Forge, VA. There is no charge to enjoy the exhibit and visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite piece for the People’s Choice Award, which will be announced at the conclusion of the show. The 2022 awards were announced Wednesday November 21; judge was Craig Sisson of Roanoke VA. Sisson worked as both a representative for major suppliers of darkroom materials and equipment and as an avid photographer since the 1970s. He was also the judge for the first Fx2 exhibit in 2008. Sisson was particularly impressed with the overall growth in the range and quality of the work over the last fourteen years.
Participants include: Alderson WV: J Perez; Clifton Forge VA: Chuck Almarez, Libby Burger, Lucy Cahoon, Travis Hart, Greg Persinger, Donna Rhodes; Blue Ridge, VA: Dan Henderson; Covington: Connie Baker, Lance Craft, Gavin Dressler, Bonnie Keyser, Kyle Keyser, Fincastle, VA: Dan Jones; Glasgow VA: Judy Robichaux, Neil Robichaux; Greenville.
WV: Paula Mann; Hot Springs VA: Heather Kipp; Lexington VA: Ted Burrowes, Conrad Matiuk, Rockbridge Baths: Tim McMahon; Roanoke VA: Joel Tucker; Ronceverte, WV: Ruth Sturgill; Scottsville VA: Glenn Nash; Staunton VA : Deborah Pugh; Verona VA: Ace Rogers and Yorktown, VA: Vicki Wishon.
AWARDS WENT TO: BEST IN SHOW: CONRAD MATIUK, LEXINGTON VA FOR NIGHT VESPERS;
BACK & WHITE/ TONED:
First place: Jesus Perez, Alderson, WV– behind the falls
Second place: Dan Jones, Fincastle, VA — for whom the bell tolls
Honorable mention: Lance Craft, Covington, VA — a view from A bliss
MACRO/STILL LIFE
First place: Joel tucker, Roanoke, VA–- happy go lucky
Second place: Ruth Sturgill, Ronceverte, WV — bloom & piano in four voices
Honorable mention: Tim McMahon, Rockbridge Baths — February ice
PORTRAIT (People or Animal)
First place: Ace Rogers, Verona, VA– a new friend
Second place: Glenn Nash, Scottsville, VA– bike ride, meridian ave.
Honorable mention: Ted Burrowes, Lexington, VA– wary
SHOW/ STOP MOTION
First place: Lance Craft, Covington, VA– memphis on fire
Second place: Lance Craft, Covington, VA– levitation
Honorable mention: Dan Henderson, Blue Ridge, VA– frenzied
LANDSCAPE
First place: Travis hart, Clifton forge, VA– meaningful reflections
Second place: ruth Sturgill, Ronceverte, WV– showing the way home
Honorable mention: dan Henderson, blue ridge– lone tree
Honorable mention: Jesus Perez, Alderson WV–touched by the sun
ARCHITECTURE
First place: Chuck Almarez, Clifton Forge, VA– nevermore
Second place: Judy robichaux, Glasgow, VA– mesa Verde
Honorable mention: Dan Jones, Fincastle, VA– forgotten rose
AFTER DARK/NIGHT SHOTS
First place: Ted Burrowes, Lexington, VA– rail’s end at Christmas
Second place: Conrad Matiuk, Lexington, VA – night lights
Honorable mention: Jesus Perez, Alderson WV–fireflies and stars
Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite photo for the people’s choice award, which will be announced at the conclusion of the exhibit on Dec 27. Pens, ballots and ballot boxes are available in the gallery.
The exhibit’s name is a combination of the old designation for camera work, fx; the 2 indicates that this is a second portion the area wide Fall Festival exhibit. It is open to both amateurs and professionals alike. As the number of people in the area who enjoy working with cameras has increased for both professionals and amateurs, it became evident that these artists needed an exhibit focused on their work to collectively show off their talent. In addition, camera technology, options and education have all grown by leaps and bounds. The images in this exhibit include drone work, phone cameras, traditional hand-held cameras of many varieties, and plenty of digital manipulation, which has pretty much taken over the old darkroom techniques of the past. The one thing that does not seem to change is the ability and imagination of the shooters, who must always be ready and attentive to capture that special image. Fx2 2022 is a wonderful presentation of imagination, nerves, determination and skill.
Since the first show, the numbers and range of entries has continued to increase. It has developed a loyal following for both photographers and the public. The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center would like to thank all the artists who responded to the call for entries, and the installation crew that worked diligently to check in work, sort and arrange it by categories, clean the glass, prepare the Gallery Guide and light the exhibit.
The Center is open free of charge 10-4:30, Mondays through Saturdays and 1-4 on Sundays. For more information, please phone (540) 862-4447, visit our website at highlandsartsandcraft.org or email us at ww.highlandsartsandcraft.org@gmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook. The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center is supported by its members, contributors, volunteers, the Town of Clifton Forge, the City of Covington, Alleghany County, The Alleghany Foundation, the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Virginian Review has been serving Covington, Clifton Forge, Alleghany County and Bath County since 1914.
