Camera Club exhibition at Merritt

MILLBROOK — Housatonic Camera Club (HCC) will be exhibiting works of 12 of its members at the Merritt Bookstore Gallery. Members work in various forms, some in film, most in digital projections, slides, prints and in both color and black-and-white.

“Photography is for me an invitation: an invitation to bridge and share the beauty and excitement I experience  in capturing moment in time into some kind of frame and making my vision available to the viewer,” artist Ann Dillon Wilkinson said. “I hope to instill in you an awareness of the simple treasures of nature often found in our own backyards, part of the landscape of life, and encourage you to participate.”  

This statement is probably true for most of those currently exhibiting at Merritt.

The club members come from several communities in the Tri-state area, while some are local. Jeffrey Breitman is a resident of Sharon, Conn., having moved to this area from Yonkers.  Other Connecticut residents include Judith Gott, Lazlo Gyorsok, John Landon and Brian Wilcox. Dawn Dingee, on the other hand, was born and raised in Dutchess County. Moby Mudge resides in Wassaic and Brian Pauline  lives in Dover Plains. Jane Rossman, a former president of the club, lives in Millerton.

Members of the HCC meet monthly to share experiences, expertise and ideas. They regularly participate in photo competitions sponsored by the New England Council of Camera Clubs, as well as the Photographic Society of America. Their work has also been exhibited at The Moviehouse in Millerton, the Millbrook Library, the Cornwall Free Library and the Oliver Wolcott Library in Litchfield, Conn. You may also have visited the Salisbury Association’s Academy Building, the Hunt Memorial Library in Falls Village, Conn., and the Smithfield Church in Amenia, where its photos have also hung.

Dingee favors landscapes and nature, but recently has started photographing concerts, different, but fun. Gyorsok favored Civil War reenactments and candid portraits, but has become interested in shooting abandoned factory buildings. Randy McKee developed his love of photography while in the service, and turned that interest into a position as staff photographer at Lime Rock Park race track. His interest in specialty cars is still evident.

Moby Mudge, attorney, photographer and writer, has recently shown his “Alice” photos in two books that were published, photos of the statues of scenes from Alice in Wonderland, located in Central Park, at Merritt Bookstore. Pauline, who is president of the HCC, said he enjoys experimenting with different subjects and techniques. Currently he works mostly on local landscapes and still lifes.

William De Voti is a teacher, traveler and a writer who likes working with archival inks, papers and mountings. He is a former president of the HCC.

The newly-renovated Merritt Bookstore includes a new upstairs gallery — the space is light, airy and the show itself is beautifully hung. The HCC exhibit runs through June 19. For bookstore/exhibition hours, call 845-677-5857.