Local photographic and art groups plan 2016 gallery shows

The Nacogdoches Photographic Association and Nacogdoches Art League will open their 2016 gallery shows with a reception at 6 p.m. Friday, June 24, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

Theme for the photographic association show is “Landscapes and Seascapes,” and serving as juror was David Cozadd, owner/manager/designer of Galleria Z in Nacogdoches. Cozadd has had a lifelong involvement with art, including earning an undergraduate degree in art from Stephen F. Austin State University. Although he has worked in a variety of mediums over the years, photography has been his preferred medium for more than 17 years.

The theme was chosen because most of the members of NPA enjoy photographing landscapes and seascapes, according to R.G. Dean, NPA member.

“However, the popularity of these subjects adds an extra challenge to capture scenes, which rise above the run-of-the-mill photographs,” Dean said. “The challenge for the photographer is to combine the skills of composition, framing, and proper exposure while recording a beautiful scene.”

The images were judged in three categories: “Fits the Theme,” “Appeal” (how interesting is the picture, and do you want to keep looking at it), and “Technical Skill.” Cozadd selected 68 images from the 114 that were entered by NPA members. Awards will include Best of Show, first, second and third places and honorable mention, in two categories – traditional and digitally enhanced. The 2016 Best of Show recipient will be announced at the opening reception.

The Nacogdoches Photographic Association was organized in 1992. Monthly meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month (except on field-trip nights) in The Cole Art Center. For more information, contact NPA president Bob Stout at nacvet@hotmail.com, or Dean at dean@sfasu.edu. The NPA website URL is nacogdochesphotoassoc.org.

The Nacogdoches Art League was organized in 1969. Its purpose is to encourage appreciation of and participation in the various visual art media. Activities include one or more annual exhibitions, art demonstrations and informative programs, and the awarding of one or more art scholarships each year to a Nacogdoches County high school graduate who will attend or is attending SFA with a major or minor in art.

Regular meetings are held the second Thursday of each month, September through June, at 6 p.m. at the Cole Art Center, and guests are welcome to attend. Membership in NAL is not limited and is open to anyone interested in the visual arts.

Since NAL embraces all visual art media and has members in numerous media, no theme is adopted for the gallery show. Awards will include Best of Show, first, second and third places and honorable mentions in three categories in each of two divisions – professional and non-professional. The categories in each division are: “Photography,” “Three Dimensional,” and “General” (all art which does not go into one of the other two categories). This year’s juror is Charles Jones, who taught art at SFA for 31 years and who was named Professor Emeritus upon retirement.

Both shows will run through July 23 with the NPA show in the Reavley Gallery and the NAL show in the Reception Gallery.

All receptions and gallery exhibitions are free of charge.

Gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main Street. For additional information, call (936) 468-1131.