Water, water everywhere at the Sharon Historical Society Gallery

SHARON  — But no one was going thirsty. Solidly themed around “Water,” a new exhibit by the Housatonic Camera Club (HCC) opened on Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Sharon Historical Society Gallery, providing photographic studies of the subject from many angles. The free exhibit will continue until Friday, Oct. 13, and be open when the historical society is open.

Photography enthusiasts gathered for the reception at the society’s gallery, viewing the 37 photographs submitted by 20 area photographers, all HCC members. Subjects vary from local scenes to more distant settings, whether in black and white or color, realistic or interpretive.

All of the works displayed are for sale with a portion of proceeds to benefit the Sharon Historical Society.

Society Board President Chris Robinson spoke of the historical society’s commitment to photography. “Part of our function is as a community service, so it’s important to show what artists in our community are doing,” he said.

Society staff are now engaged in organizing and curating a collection of tens of thousands of photographs taken by Fran Kelsey, once a photographer for The Lakeville Journal.

Coordinator of the exhibit for the HCC was Jeffrey Breitman, a former HCC co-president. He praised the work of the historical society staff. “They are terrific,” he said, praising the society’s work in hanging the exhibit. He said that before the pandemic, the HCC had had an exhibit at the historical society. “We are always looking for new venues,” he added.

Sarah Blodgett, an HCC member for the past two years, is a professional photographer based in Lakeville and Ithaca, New York, as Sarah Blodgett Photography. Acclaimed as a wildlife photographer, among other specialties, she has a Salisbury studio called “The Bird House.”

“I love the building and the space,” she said. “It’s nice to be part of this event.” Blodgett was showing a photograph on metal, titled “Old Pier, VA”, one of three works she had in the show.

HCC was founded in 1958, this year is their 65th year, attracting members from the tri-state area. www.housatoniccameraclub.com. Members range from amateur to professional.

One of the 20 artists showing her photography at the opening of the Housatonic Camera Club’s group exhibit that opened Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Sharon Historical Society, is professional photographer Sarah Blodgett of Lakeville. She is pictured with her photograph on metal titled “Old Pier, VA.” Photo by Leila Hawken