Larry Salley Photography Award 2020 Virtual Exhibition

ARTSWESTCHESTER PRESENTS:

Lawrence Salley Photography Award

2020 VIRTUAL EXHIBITION

Arnold Kastenbaum, Oculus Ceiling, Toned Gelatin Silver Print, 16”x20”

IN COLLABORATION WITH THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN OF WESTCHESTER

1

Table of Contents 4 • Exhibition Overview 8 • Letter from County Executive George Latimer

9 • Exhibiting Artists 68 •

About African American Men of Westchester and ArtsWestchester

69 • Acknowledgements

22

ArtsWestchester 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains

About the Lawrence Salley Photography Award

In 2018, ArtsWestchester, the African American Men of Westchester and the Salley family established the Lawrence Salley Photography Award to celebrate the life and artistic achievements of Lawrence “Larry” C. Salley, who was an active member of both organizations. Larry lived and worked in Westchester County (White Plains), where he assumed the leadership roles of Deputy Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning, and Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Transportation.

In his spare time, he was an avid photographer. Larry was known for his vast and prolific documentation of his numerous travels around the globe. From the base of the Great Pyramids of Egypt to Havana’s streets as witnessed from the back seat of a pink 1950s Cadillac, and finally the sprawling view from atop the Grand

Canyon, Larry photographed everything he saw.

His photographic oeuvre ranges from exotic landscapes to ethnic portraiture, and from floral abstractions to musical performances. No matter where Larry went, you could almost certainly find him with his camera.

The Lawrence Salley Photography Award is given annually to a Hudson Valley-based photographer with a significant body of work of outstanding artistic merit. Arts professionals and members of the creative community are invited to submit nominations, which are reviewed by a panel of representatives from the Award partners.

The recipient of the award receives a $1,000 grant to advance their artistic practice. Past recipients include Ocean Morisset (2018) and David Rocco (2019).

3

Exhibition Overview

This year’s winner of the Lawrence Salley Photography Award, Arnold Kastenbaum, provides a unique and alternate view of the commonplace. His style is painterly. Mundane objects, such as light bulbs and doorknobs, are transformed with light and shadow into abstract compositions. In addition, Kastenbaum works in the tradition of film photography, personally printing all of his own images on archival gelatin silver.

Arnold was selected from a superlative roster of finalists. The panel was so impressed with the artistry and diverse points of view of these photographers that it felt an exhibition was in order. Originally, ArtsWestchester had hoped to showcase these distinguished creative artists in our gallery but, in response to the times, we have moved the exhibition to digital.

This will allow visitors to enjoy these engaging

4

representations of our diverse world from the comfort of their homes. From pure abstraction to photojournalism, the nine photographers gathered in this virtual exhibition represent the varied practices of contemporary photography, and the deep talent of the Hudson Valley’s creative community.

We hope you will enjoy the distinct visions of Arnold Kastenbaum and the eight finalists. From colorful exotic locales to familiar neighborhood landmarks, community celebrations to composed still-lifes, intimate portraits to photojournalism, this collection conveys the vibrancy of life and the beauty of humanity’s shared experiences.

Janet Langsam CEO, ArtsWestchester

Larry Salley, Story Time – Cuba, Digital Print, 16”x20”

55

“

Larry had a lifelong love of travel and photography and generously shared his passion for music and art with the Westchester community.”

– Janet Langsam, CEO, ArtsWestchester

6

Larry Salley, Diggin’ the Scene, Digital Print, 20”x30” 7

George Latimer County Executive April 6, 2020

Dear Neighbors,

Thank you for taking a few moments to explore ArtsWestchester’s online Larry Salley Photography Exhibition. In lieu of an exhibition that had been planned for the month of April, this online gallery features the photographic work of the finalists in the annual Larry Salley Photography Award Competition. Yes, these are unprecedented times. But we can still enjoy a few minutes of respite by exploring the arts online.

Larry Salley is no stranger to Westchester County Government. He lived in White Plains, and served as Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Transportation, and Deputy Commissioner of the Westchester County Department of Planning.

8

Of all of his professional accomplishments, Larry Salley was best known as a “Jazz Man,” a lover of great African American music and musicians, a gifted photographer, an avid sports fan and a loyal friend. Most of all, he was funloving, with an easy laugh, a big heart and a generous spirit. During these challenging times, we would all do well to try to emulate some of Larry’s best qualities. And remember, the arts will still be here for us when we emerge from this crisis – together.

George Latimer Westchester County Executive

Exhibiting Artists Tom Atwood Margaret Fox Howard Goodman Alan Haywood Arnold Kastenbaum* Barry Mason Gina Randazzo Joseph Squillante John Verner

*2020 Lawrence Salley Photography Award Winner

99

Tom Atwood

Stamford, CT

Kings & Queens in Their Castles is an ambitious photo series of the LGBTQ experience throughout the United States. The work offers a window into the lives and homes of some of America's intriguing and eccentric personalities.

Over the course of 15 years, Atwood has photographed more than 350 subjects from 30 states, including dozens of families and nearly 100 celebrities.

The images portray whimsical and intimate moments of their subjects’ daily lives. The

10

photographs shift between the pictorial and the theatrical. While the series looks at eccentric creatives, such as artists, fashion designers, music makers and dancers, it features people from all walks of life, including business executives, politicians, religious leaders and doctors. It also documents a population that blossomed in the 1960s and 1970s but seems to be slowly disappearing – urban bohemians, beatniks, mavericks and iconoclasts.

Tom Atwood, Madison Hildebrand, 2017, 35 mm Digital, Inkjet, 16”x20”

11

Atwood meticulously “ composes each image to convey that we and our homes are a unified fabric.”

– Yossi Milo, Yossi Milo Gallery

12

Tom Atwood, Randal Kleiser, 2017, 35 mm Digital, Inkjet, 16”x20” 13

14

Tom Atwood, Christian Siriano & Brad Walsh, 2017, 35 mm Digital, Inkjet, 16”x20”

15 15

Margaret Fox

Sleepy Hollow, NY

Being the local photographer for the Village of Sleepy Hollow has connected Margaret Fox to the people who live and work in her community.

She has been called to photograph a variety of events, including ceremonies, historic sites and tourist attractions.

Fox enjoys the challenge of creating images that depict history in the midst of exciting new changes that occur in and around her growing community: from the picturesque waterfront

16

of Sleepy Hollow and its view of the Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to the historic 1882 lighthouse and Horan’s Landing. Other nearby locales Fox has photographed include the Rockefeller State Park Preserve, which provides jogging trails and pastures for cows and sheep to graze on, and the Old Dutch Church and Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where the Headless Horseman rides each Halloween.

Margaret Fox, Christmas Eve at the Old Dutch Church, 2019, Archival Fine Art Print, 17”x22”

17

18

Margaret Fox, Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse with Kayaker, 2019, Archival Fine Art Print, 17”x22”

19 19

Margaret Fox, Headless 20

I enjoy the challenge “ of creating images that depict the history in the midst of exciting new changes occurring in our village.”

– Margaret Fox

Horseman, 2019, Archival Fine Art Print, 17”x22” 21

Howard Goodman

Peekskill, NY

Howard Goodman examines an environment for "found still-lifes," which he refers to as “an important part of the residue that people leave in their wake of inhabiting or passing through a place. The images are devoid of people, yet filled with human presence.” His work includes photographs that were taken in Kyoto, Japan, the coastal fishing villages of Nova Scotia, Canada, and ancient pilgrimage routes in Portugal and northern Spain.

22

By hand printing in the silver gelatin process, Goodman demonstrates the possibilities and nuances of pushing and pulling tonal contrast.

He does this by adding and withholding light on the sensitized paper in the darkroom in order to communicate the emotional impact of a scene or image. His work with digital photography continues to demonstrate his unique way of seeing and interpreting imagery.

Howard Goodman, Forks, Silver Gelatin Print, 17”x14”

23

“

The images are devoid of people, yet filled with human presence.�

- Howard Goodman

24

Howard Goodman, Fork, Galicia, Spain on El Camino de Santiago, Digital Print, 8�x10

25

26

Howard Goodman, Water Glass, Silver Gelatin Print, 14”x17”

27

Alan Haywood

Ossining, NY

Alan Haywood’s work consists of images that were captured for their light, shadow, texture and form. In addition to creating portraits on-location and in his studio, Haywood’s work has included landscapes and environmental photographs of the American southwest, like California, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah.

Music is Haywood’s passion, since he enjoys being in an environment that visually

28

stimulates sight and sound. His current work involves photographing musicians, in the vein of Francis Wolfe and other jazz photographers from the 1950s and 60s, as they perform in live venues. He has also photographed musicians’ album covers. Haywood has said that his goal is “to communicate to the viewer [his] perspective and vision through the lens and shutter.”

Alan Haywood, Donald Harrison, Photograph, 20”x24”

29

30

“

Haywood’s romantic view of the world translates into timeless images of people and places.”

– Janet Langsam, CEO, ArtsWestchester

Alan Haywood, Drew Bordeaux, Photograph, 20”x24”

31

32

Alan Haywood, Roy Hargrove, Photograph, 20”x24”

33

Arnold Kastenbaum

Mamaroneck, NY

2020 Lawrence Salley Photography Award Winner

In his work, award-winning artist and master printer Arnold Kastenbaum makes no attempt to depict an object as it naturally appears. Rather, his goal is to create a new object that did not exist before, presenting an alternative view of commonplace, mundane objects such as light bulbs or door knobs. As a result, his photographs become the object without regard to the subject matter.

Kastenbaum works exclusively in traditional black and white film and archival gelatin silver materials, and personally prints all images using a darkroom process. This allows for tremendous

34

interpretation of the film’s negative and gives him the opportunity to coax the desired vision from every image individually. While similar, each print shows subtle variations and becomes a unique work. His love for photography stems from his teenage years – a passion that, after a long hiatus, was rekindled in recent years. He has since participated in numerous juried exhibitions at galleries and museums in Westchester County and New York City. He also teaches a personal vision workshop at SUNY Purchase College and was featured in Westchester Magazine as one of the County’s prominent visual artists.

Arnold Kastenbaum, Light at Middlebury College, Toned Gelatin Silver Print, 16”x20”

35

36

Arnold Kastenbaum, Met Costume Staircase, Toned Gelatin Silver Print, 16�x20�

37

38

Arnold Kastenbaum, Familia Model, Toned Gelatin Silver Print, 16�x20�

39

His photographs “ are like mysterious jewels – objects of wonder in their own right.”

– Kathleen Reckling, Deputy Director of Public Programs, ArtsWestchester

40

Arnold Kastenbaum, Greenwich Library Elevator, Toned Gelatin Silver Print, 16”x20” 41

42

Arnold Kastenbaum, Met Hand Shadow, Toned Gelatin Silver Print, 16�x20�

43

Barry Mason

Mt. Vernon, NY

For many years, painter, sculptor, teacher and photographer Barry Mason has focused his lens on the vibrant communities of Mount Vernon, New York, where he currently resides.

He documents religious ceremonies, family celebrations and church events at Grace Baptist Church. Mason’s photographs have reached far and wide. His commercial clients include GE and L’Oreal. He has also taught photography at the Horace Mann School and ArtsWestchester.

44

In addition to photography, Mason creates paintings and sculptures, which have been displayed in exhibitions at the Katonah Museum of Art, Pelham Art Center, Atelier Newport (Rhode Island), the Garner Arts Center Festival in Garnerville, New York, the ACBAW Art Center in Mount Vernon, and the 2018 ArtsWestchester Triennial.

Barry Mason, The Afrikan Healing Circle, 2018, Digital Print, 9.25”x14”

45

I see myself as “ a composer…”

– Barry Mason

46

Barry Mason, Reverend Richard H. Dixon Jr. and Family, 2013, Digital Print, 20.5”x30.5” 47

48

Barry Mason, Alpha Stars Step Team Performing at Arts on 3rd, Mt. Vernon, NY, 2013, Digital Print, 9.25”x14”

49 49

Gina Randazzo

Hastings-on-Hudson, NY

The protests documented in USA 2017 are live events – rallies, marches, speak-outs – in which Randazzo was a full participant. Meeting and photographing demonstrators is a core part of her political activism and community building.

The portraits demonstrate what Randazzo describes as “the calm, rage and unity among the diverse crowds that stand together in opposition to the policies of this president and

50

his administration.” The photographs share a connection to imagery from a long history of street protests in the United States, but are new in format, language and focus. The pigment prints are meant to highlight strong colors as a visual representation of the protestors’ demands to be heard.

Gina Randazzo, Un Violador En Tu Camino (A Rapist In Your Path), Outside Harvey Weinstein Trial, 1/10/20, Archival Pigment Print, 17”x22”

51

52

Gina Randazzo, Christine Blasey Ford Solidarity Speakout, Senator Schumer’s NYC Office, 9/27/18, Archival Pigment Print, 17”x22”

53

“

The portraits describe the calm and the rage and the unity among the diverse crowds standing together in opposition.”

– Gina Randazzo

54

Gina Randazzo, World Refugee Day, Tarrytown, NY, 6/20/18, Archival Pigment Print, 17”x22” 55

Joseph Squillante

Peekskill, NY

Joseph Squillante is well-versed in a classic approach to making photographs; however, he moved to digital photography more than 10 years ago.

Through his work, he raises awareness of the beauty and timelessness of the Hudson River. In 2000, he undertook a year-long project to document the entire River in order to record what it looked like at the turn of this century. He soon found himself accompanying biologists in banding bald eagles and peregrine falcons, meeting up with pilot boat captains as they

56

switched shifts mid-river in the dark of night and joining fishermen as they pulled shad and bluecrabs from the waters.

Beyond creating photographs in a realistic manner, Squillante tends toward abstractions through motion, close-ups and the reshooting of actual prints. The freedom of expression and experimentation allowed through digital shooting produces works “that derive their power not from the subject itself but from the basic elements of visual art: light, line, shape, form, texture, color and composition.”

Joseph Squillante, Cube Squared, 2011, Photograph, 28”x22”

57

My love for the Hudson “ continues to grow each time I visit its shores.”

– Joseph Squillante

58

Joseph Squillante, Highlands Nook, 2000, Photograph, 26”x28”

59

60

Joseph Squillante, Painterly Sky, 1996, Artist Proof, 15”x18”

61

John Verner

Rhinebeck, NY

After working for a number of years as a painter and teacher, John Verner turned to fine art photography for its immediacy and vitality. He is drawn to street photography, which represents a moment in time never to be the same, and portraiture, which provides an opportunity to connect with people on a deeply personal level. His new series accomplishes both of these passions. For Sacred India, Verner traveled to Northern India to photograph street

62

life and portraits of people in their everyday lives. He aimed to capture what he refers to as “the happiness and spiritual connection in his Indian subjects’ lives that is not often experienced in the West.� The series includes portraits of holy sadhus, working people and people at the sacred Ganges. In addition to fine art photography, Verner also does commercial, travel, portrait and documentary work.

John Verner, Morning Guys, 2019, Digital Photography, 13”x19”

63

64

John Verner, Water Fight on Holi Day, 2019, Digital Photography, 13”x19”

65 65

John Ve 66

There is a vitality “ and an aliveness I wish to express.”

– John Verner

erner, Laundry Day, 2019, Digital Photography, 13”x19” 67

About the African American Men of Westchester

The African American Men of Westchester, Inc. (AAMW) is a 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 1987 by twenty-three Westchester County residents in order to capitalize on the vast talents of the African American community.

The membership is made up of men who have distinguished themselves in the fields of finance, government, business operations and management, education, law, engineering, real estate, technology and a wealth of other civic and community activities. AAMW is committed

to developing and encouraging collaborative actions that strengthen the economic, social and educational foundation of our communities.

AAMW’s community-based activities: focus attention on the social, economic and educational issues that impact the people of Westchester; provide leadership, support and shared solutions; and ensure that every community-conscious African American man has an opportunity and a vehicle to make a difference. We make a difference.

About ArtsWestchester Chances are, if you or your children have gone to a local exhibition or performance, or participated in an arts class or workshop, your lives have been touched by ArtsWestchester.

That is because ArtsWestchester is the single most important funder in Westchester County for cultural institutions, as well as for emerging arts organizations, community-based arts groups, and artists. Today, the arts are thriving in Westchester because ArtsWestchester has put the arts on the public agenda and has invested more than $40 million over many years in Westchester’s arts and cultural sector.

68

ArtsWestchester’s vision is for a Westchester where every man, woman, and child can explore his or her creative impulses; where the arts are accessible to every sector of society and are an educational priority in our schools; where opportunities for artists are plentiful; where public art is fundamental to the landscape and cityscape; and where a new generation can use the arts as a window to the world.

Visit artsw.org for the latest arts news and arts events. And, be sure to connect with us on social media by following @artswestchester and #gottalovethearts.

Thank You to: African American Men of Westchester (AAMW) Mack Carter, Executive Director, White Plains Housing Authority Eric Eller, President , AAMW Sondra Salley Nyle Salley The ArtsWestchester Arts Committee

ArtsWestchester Project Staff: Janet Langsam, CEO Katelynn DiBiccari, Graphic Designer Mary Alice Franklin, Communications Manager/Content Editor Logan Hanley, Exhibition Project Manager Sydney Mitchell, Graphic Designer & Creative Manager Kathleen Reckling, Deputy Director of Public Programs Debbie Scates, Director of Communications and Marketing Eric Siegel, IT & Website Manager

ArtsWestchester, 31 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10601

artsw.org

#GottaLovetheArts

69