Opening Reception: Saturday, September 14 from 3 - 5 PM*
Artists Reception: Saturday, October 19 from 4-6 PM
Refreshments provided for both receptions; artists wil be present to speak on their work at the artists reception in October.
*The September 14 opening is a dual opening reception along with the SPE Midwest Chapter鈥檚 volunteers exhibit in the BG Projects space.
The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is proud to present Visions of Utopia: Society for Photographic Education Midwest Chapter Members鈥� Exhibition. This show features new photography from members of the Society for Photographic Education based in the Midwest that explores themes evoking utopia. This show, juried by Paul Paletti, centers these artist-educators鈥� research as expressed through photo-based art. Exhibiting artists include Robert Dickes (91社区), Abbey Hepner (SIUE), Nate Mathews (NEIU), Susan L. Moore (IU), Thalassa Raasch (UI), Christopher Schneberger (VU), Curt Steckel (FHSU), Stan Strembicki (WashU), Millee Tibbs (Wayne), Aimee Tomasek (Valpo), Joel Whitaker (UD) and Emily Weithorn (MSJ).
This exhibition, juried by Louisville, KY-based gallerist Paul Paletti, represents work submitted in response to a call for art in dialogue with the theme, 鈥榁isions of Utopia.鈥� Photographic educators were encouraged to present work representing their current body of research. This entwining of artistic and academic impulses is echoed in the Society for Photographic Education Midwest Chapter鈥檚 Visions of Utopia conference taking place in and around New Harmony, IN from October 18-20, 2024.
鈥淭he conference Visions of Utopia promises to be an extraordinary experience, unlike any other. [The meeting is] set against the backdrop of New Harmony, a picturesque riverside town known for its vibrant and artistic community and two-time utopian society.鈥� notes conference co-organizer - and 91社区 professor - Robert Dickes. 鈥淭his event will feature a unique hands-on learning format along with traditional artists talks. Attendees will engage in experiential learning activities exploring the town with their cameras, [..along with other] talks and [events.]鈥� Visitors are invited to explore more about the conference 鈥榁isions of Utopia鈥� and exhibiting artists at the Society for Photographic Education Midwest Chapter鈥檚 conference website: https://www.spenational.org/conferences/visions-of-utopia
91社区 the Juror
Paul Paletti, a Lousville, KY native, is founder/owner of Paul Paletti Gallery. The gallery鈥檚 opened in Louisville in July 2001. It was a pivotal partner in the second Photo Biennial, exhibiting the photographs of Rolfe Horn. The gallery became one of the original participants in the First Friday Gallery Hop in Louisville. Paul attended Middlebury College, later graduating from University of New Mexico where he studied with Beaumont Newhall, Van Deren Coke, and Ray Metzker. After receiving a BFA, Photography, Paletti went on to earn his MA, Photography at Central Washington University (1975.) He holds a JD from the University of Louisville (1987.) He has been a partner in the law firm of Sturm, Paletti, and Wilson since 1994. Paletti has served on the Board of Directors for Louisville Visual Arts Association, Louisville Fund for the Visual Art, Kentucky Cancer Research Foundation, and LOOK at Louisville Visual Arts.
Paletti is scheduled to speak at the Visions of Utopia conference on Saturday, October 19 at 7pm in Murthy Auditorium.
New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art at 91社区 promotes discourse about and access to contemporary art in the southern Indiana region. New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is a proud outreach partner of the 91社区
This exhibition is made possible in part Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana, and the Indiana Arts Commission, which receives support from the State of Indiana and the National Endowment for the Arts.