Arts Society of Kingston

ASK is excited to present a comprehensive exhibit of black and white photographs created by local Ulster County high school students. All images in this show were created in the darkroom without any digital manipulation.

Four high chool art educators have prepared this show from work submitted by students currently studying darkroom techniques. Debra Tampone, Art Teacher at Kingston High School has organized a beautiful show along with the following art teachers: Stewart Schuenemann from Onteora High School, Mary Rappleyea from New Paltz High School and Beverly Bennett from Rondout High School.

Amidst our fast paced, digitally overloaded world, the fine art of developing film in the darkroom is on the brink of extinction. However, despite such forces as Photoshop, area high school students who have discovered the darkroom are developing their artistic voices through this traditional 19th century process. Translating the image in the darkroom with chemicals and light brings the artist closer to the spirit of photography as it was originally experienced. This back-to-basics, hands on process demands more commitment and involvement; hence there is a greater connection and more meaning to the work. The excitement of “pulling their first print” has enough impact to drive students to explore all the capabilities of this time-honored traditional, process and has produced a new generation of photographers who value the power of darkroom photography.

ASK combines the talent of local florists and local artists this February for the "Hearts and Flowers" Exhibit. Several local flower shops including, Burgevin Florists Inc., Flowers by Maria, Adam's Fairacre Farms, Flower Nest, Bella Flowers and more will create floral arrangements that replicate paintings from the exhibit. The arrangements will be displayed next to the paintings that they mimic. It will bring life to the opening, as the artwork will literally be popping off the canvas! The arrangements will be raffled off during the first Saturday reception.

The Arts Society of Kingston (ASK) welcomes "Hearts and Flowers" a members' exhibition with a unique twist, to Main Gallery and “A Light in the Dark”, a showcase of local high school darkroom photography to The Members’ Lounge during the month of February. The shared opening reception will take place during First Saturday, February 4th, 5-8 pm. Both exhibitions will run until February 25th.