Opening Reception: Saturday, September 14 from 3 - 5 PM*
Artists Reception: Saturday, October 19 from 4-6 PM
Refreshments provided for both receptions; artists wil be present to speak on their work at the artists reception in October.
*The September 14 opening is a dual opening reception along with the SPE Midwest Chapter’s volunteers exhibit in the BG Projects space.
The New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art is proud to present Visions of Utopia: Society for Photographic Education Midwest Chapter Members’ Exhibition. This show features new photography from members of the Society for Photographic Education based in the Midwest that explores themes evoking utopia. This show, juried by Paul Paletti, centers these artist-educators’ research as expressed through photo-based art. Exhibiting artists include Robert Dickes (USI), Abbey Hepner (SIUE), Nate Mathews (NEIU), Susan L. Moore (IU), Thalassa Raasch (UI), Christopher Schneberger (VU), Curt Steckel (FHSU), Stan Strembicki (WashU), Millee Tibbs (Wayne), Aimee Tomasek (Valpo), Joel Whitaker (UD) and Emily Weithorn (MSJ).
This exhibition, juried by Louisville, KY-based gallerist Paul Paletti, represents work submitted in response to a call for art in dialogue with the theme, ‘Visions of Utopia.” Photographic educators were encouraged to present work representing their current body of research. This entwining of artistic and academic impulses is echoed in the Society for Photographic Education Midwest Chapter’s Visions of Utopia conference taking place in and around New Harmony, IN from October 18-20, 2024.
“The conference Visions of Utopia promises to be an extraordinary experience, unlike any other. [The meeting is] set against the backdrop of New Harmony, a picturesque riverside town known for its vibrant and artistic community and two-time utopian society.” notes conference co-organizer - and University of Southern Indiana professor - Robert Dickes. “This event will feature a unique hands-on learning format along with traditional artists talks. Attendees will engage in experiential learning activities exploring the town with their cameras, [..along with other] talks and [events.]” Visitors are invited to explore more about the conference ‘Visions of Utopia’ and exhibiting artists at the Society for Photographic Education Midwest Chapter’s conference website: https://www.spenational.org/conferences/visions-of-utopia
About the Juror
Paul Paletti, a Lousville, KY native, is founder/owner of Paul Paletti Gallery. The gallery’s opened in Louisville in July 2001. It was a pivotal partner in the second Photo Biennial, exhibiting the photographs of Rolfe Horn. The gallery became one of the original participants in the First Friday Gallery Hop in Louisville. Paul attended Middlebury College, later graduating from University of New Mexico where he studied with Beaumont Newhall, Van Deren Coke, and Ray Metzker. After receiving a BFA, Photography, Paletti went on to earn his MA, Photography at Central Washington University (1975.) He holds a JD from the University of Louisville (1987.) He has been a partner in the law firm of Sturm, Paletti, and Wilson since 1994. Paletti has served on the Board of Directors for Louisville Visual Arts Association, Louisville Fund for the Visual Art, Kentucky Cancer Research Foundation, and LOOK at Louisville Visual Arts.
Paletti is scheduled to speak at the Visions of Utopia conference on Saturday, October 19 at 7pm in Murthy Auditorium.
