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Arts & Entertainment

Photography & 3D Art Exhibit: Artists of Yardley's First Show of the Year

The Artists of Yardley's first Photography & 3D Art Show opening reception was a huge success last Friday with over 200 people attending. The exhibit runs until April 22nd.

The AOY Art Center on the historic Patterson farm was packed last Friday night for the opening of the center’s first Photography & 3D Art Show. More than 200 people gathered in the historic farmhouse on the Patterson Farm property on Mirror Lake Road in Lower Makefield Township. Over 30 area artists aged 18 to 88 showed off color and black and white photography, sculpture and pottery. Visitors from all around the county and New Jersey enjoyed the food, festivities and artwork.

Dana Matas, chairperson of the first show of the season, and photography exhibitor, was very pleased with the turnout.

"Thanks to the many devoted members, this show came together beautifully. Everyone worked together to create posters, paint the interior of the house, install lighting, hang pictures, clean the house and grounds, assist with parking, setting up, planting flowers and contributing refreshments," Matas said.

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Just weeks before the exhibit, AOY members were busy painting over the flowered wallpaper in the main room of the historic 1837 house. If that wasn't enough, they also installed high caliber professional lighting found in high-end galleries and museums. AOY member and photographer Bob Van Doren carefully researched the lighting requirements.

"The energy in the house was amazing," commented Anne Gannon, AOY founding member and fine artist. "This was quite a lively opening with the mix of photographers and 3D artists from all walks of life. We couldn't have asked for a better turn out."

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Matas had two photos in the show. "Early Morning," a photo of an orange amaryllis flower was shot about 7:00 a.m. in her sister's kitchen, she said. "Happy Face" was an abstract photo of black and white paint she was mixing to paint a sign.

"I couldn't resist the great surreal texture it revealed," Matas said.

John Slavin, Northampton township resident and photographer, photographed colorful Indian teepees titled, "Gallup, NM."

"I photographed it in the mid-90's while traveling on Rt. 66, but printed it last year. It was shot on Kodachrome with my Leica camera. As we drove into Gallup, a storm was clearing, and the sun emerged through the clouds with amazing light. I had to run to get the shot before it disappeared," Slavin said.

Driving and cars are Slavin's main passions besides photography. Slavin restores muscle cars such as Chevys, Camaros and Corvettes. He races a 1969 Camaro SS396 part of the year in the SuperCar Shootout series.

Slavin and his wife love to drive cross-country. In August, he usually travels to the famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. He takes photos of the race cars in early morning or late afternoon with Kodak Tri-X Black & White film.

Slavin had a long career as a photographer for the Philadelphia Inquirer for 22 years and started out taking photos for the Bucks County Courier Times before that.

"I built a darkroom in my basement and started taking black and white photos when I was eleven. In 1981, I went to Ansel Adams' book signing in Philly and asked him how a young person could do what he was doing. He told me to work for a newspaper to get paid and hone my craft, so I did," he said.

Slavin enjoys the camaraderie of the members of Artists of Yardley. It is a common thread for all of the artists and members—they enjoy learning from each other and working towards common goals.

You don't have to be an artist to join. If you're simply an art enthusiast, you qualify for membership at only $25 per year. You'll be kept abreast of activities at the center, exhibits, classes and other artistic opportunities.

All artwork at the exhibit is for sale. If you see something you like from one of the artists, check out their website or inquire from the host on duty because chances are they have other works available for sale.

The exhibit is free and open to the public and runs Saturday and Sunday 12-5 p.m., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 1-6 p.m. Check www.artistsofyardley.org for upcoming events, art class schedules and more information.

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