Fx2 Features 27 Photographers

CLIFTON FORGE — The 11th annual regional photography exhibit, Fx2, is now open at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center.
The exhibit contains 81 images by 27 photographers in seven categories, and will be on exhibit through Dec.  28.
Regular center hours are on Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Sundays from 1-4 p.m. The center is located at 439 E. Ridgeway St. in Clifton Forge.
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. Ballots, pens, and ballot boxes are located in each section of the gallery. 
The 2020 awards were announced Monday, Nov. 30.
Judge for this year’s show was Stephanie Klein-Davis, who was a photographer for the Roanoke Times newspaper for 33 years, taught at Virginia Western Community College for 16 years, and now teaches photography at William Fleming High School. 
Participants include:
• Alderson, W.Va: J. Perez;
• Annandale: Paige Highsmith;
• Blue Ridge: Dan Henderson;
• Clifton Forge: Chuck Almarez, Dianalee Bohme, Libby Burger, Jada Cal-lender, Lucy Cahoon, Cathy Drummer, Keely Nofsinger Massie, Donna Rhodes;
• Covington: Bob Donnan, Kaitlynn Canter, Gavin Dressler, Bonnie Keyser, Jules Lee, Heidi Rogers, Stephen Sivonda;
• Fincastle: Dan Jones;
• Glasgow: Judy Robichaux;
• Lexington: Conrad Matiuk;
• Roanoke: Lisa Minnix, Steve Minnix, Joel Tucker;
• Ronceverte, W.Va.: Ruth Sturgill; 
• Staunton: Deborah Pugh.
• Valparaiso, Ind.: Deborah Herndon.
Awards went to:
• Best In Show: Keely Noffsinger Massie, Clifton Forge, “Harmony.”
• Black and White/ Toned: Keely Noffsinger Massie, Clifton Forge, “Harmony,” first place; Conrad Matiuk, Lexington, “Backstage,” second place; J. Perez, Alderson, W.Va., “The Gnome Home,” honorable mention.
• Portrait (People or Animal): Chuck Almarez, Clifton Forge, “Village Smithy,” first place; Keely Noffsinger Massie, Clifton Forge, “Cherish,” second place; Ruth Sturgill, Ronceverte, W.Va., “Nailed It!,” honorable mention.
• Show/Stop Motion: Bob Donnan, Covington, “Neowise,” first place; J.Perez, Alderson, W.Va., “Fall Swirls,” second place; Donna Rhodes, Clifton Forge, “Dog Days of Summer, honorable mention.
• Landscape: Steve Minnix, Roanoke, “Fall Trail, Douthat,” first place; Conrad Matiuk, Lexington, Haida Gwaii, B.C.,” second place; Libby Burger, Clifton Forge, “Harvest Moon,” honorable mention.
• Architecture: Deborah Herndon, Valparaiso, Ind., “Glass Office Abstract,” first place; Ruth Sturgill, Ronceverte, W.Va., “Second Story Escape,” second place; J. Perez, Alderson, W.Va., “The Treasury,” honorable mention.
• Macro/Still Life: Ruth Sturgill, Ronceverte, W.Va., “Never Clean,” first place; Chuck Almarez, Clifton Forge, “Sunset on the Parkway,” second place; Joel Tucker, Roanoke, “Sunny Sunflowers,” honorable mention.
What I Did During the Pandemic: Jada Callender, Clifton Forge, “Medieval Magic,” first place; Heidi Rogers, Covington, “Reflections in the Water,” second place; Libby Burger, Clifton Forge, “Covid Quarantine,” honorable mention.
The exhibit’s name, Fx2, is a combination of the old designation for camera work, fx; while 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 become 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 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 2020 is a wonderful presentation of imagination, nerves, determination and skill.
Since the first show, the numbers and range of entries has continued to develop a loyal following for both photographers and the public.
The Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center expressed appreciation to 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 labels, and light the exhibit.
For more information, call 862-4447, visit the center’s  website at highlandsartsandcraft.org or email them at ww.highlandsartsandcraft.org@gmail.com.
They can also be found 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.
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Keely Noffsinger Massie of Clifton Forge won Best in Show for her black and white photo “Harmony” during the annual Fx2 photography exhibit, currently on display at the Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center in Clifton Forge. (Photo Courtesy Alleghany Highlands Arts and Crafts Center)