Photography Contest Recap!

Despite or perhaps because of the rainy weather, the Buena Vista Arts Council enjoyed a record crowd at its annual photography show! Vendors that were not interested in braving the storm refused to cancel but came inside the currently unoccupied building at 2037 Magnolia Avenue. The building space, generously donated by owner David Dickinson, is a perfect venue for the many art events that the BVAC has held there over the past 5 years.

On this Mountain Day, the activities included several historic displays. David Meisky and Brent Dryden offered their collections of postcards. Spence’s Emporium displayed many pictures of places and people from the past. Ed Wilson displayed and sold reprints from the wide variety of historic photos he has collected. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints displayed several families’ memorabilia and offered instruction on how to do personal family research. Conrad Matiuk had a booth of his photographic work covering many beautiful images found in and around the Buena Vista area while Michele Fletcher, the judge of the photography contest, displayed several of her pieces.

In addition to all this, several art projects spontaneously ensued. Stephanie John advertised her interest in teaching knitting classes as she encouraged individuals to assist in creating a woven rug made of recycled grocery bags. Brenna O’Grady, who offers after school art instruction at EarthSong Community School, assisted children in contributing to the ongoing “Believe” paper bag art installation. Kathy Janiczek, an administrator and educator at a Job Corp facility in the Amherst area, taught youth to create handmade dolls and other fun textile creations, some of which were added to the art exhibit also. Entertainers, first Kelly Harris and then Elder Marc Ferguson, spent several hours clowning their way into the hearts of the art patrons with a talking dog puppet, balloon animals, juggling and jokes.