PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
The Arts Council
Contact: Kevin Ledgewood
205-758-5195, x6
RHYS GREENE AND MIKE NEILSON FEATURED IN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE GALLERY
(Tuscaloosa) The Arts Council will present an exhibit of photographs by artists Rhys Greene and Mike Neilson at the Bama Theatre’s Junior League Gallery on October 6 – 31, 2011. Titled “Collected Images,” the display will open with a reception on Sunday, October 9 from 1 – 3:00 p.m. in the gallery.
The exhibit will include film and digital images in black & white and color. Each of the gallery’s eight main panels will feature images by one photographer and one theme. The themes are Essence of New Mexico, Relics and Oddities, Trees and Roadside Evangelism, Flowers, Winter in Birmingham, Alabama Landscapes and Fire & Water.
The Bama Theatre is located at 600 Greensboro Avenue in downtown Tuscaloosa with gallery hours of 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The gallery is also open during Bama Theatre events. For more information about the galleries visit tuscarts.org or follow the group on Facebook at “The Arts Council – Bama Theatre – Cultural Arts Center” and also on Twitter. Call 205-758-5195 for further information.
Rhys Greene
Greene’s study of photography began in 2006. The first three years were spent shooting, processing film and printing in a traditional wet darkroom with concentration on black and white photography with a strong emphasis on black and white infrared film. Learning the basics allowed Greene to move into digital photography and computer editing. “My portfolio is ever changing and I am reminded often that my work seems to take on a life of its own. I am not quite sure where it will lead so I simply enjoy the journey.”
Capturing the essence of familiar things in a meaningful and intriguing way is her objective. “Our individual life experiences define how we view the world and how we relate to a photograph. I hope that my photos will invite the viewer to experience something personal so if my work brings a cherished memory to mind, portrays a heartfelt dream or brings a smile to your face, then I am truly pleased”.
Greene continues to study both analog and digital photography in her ongoing quest for knowledge and personal gratification. Her photography can be seen at The DCH Cancer Treatment Center in Tuscaloosa and at The Kentuck Gallery in Northport.
Mike Neilson
Born and educated in Australia, Mike Neilson came to The University of Alabama in Birmingham in 1975. He also teaches digital photography courses in the Samford After Sundown program at Samford University. His goals in these courses are to introduce photographers to digital techniques and to help individuals transition from the world of film to that of digital cameras. In addition to photography, his passions are classical music, sailboat racing and natural history.
“I began taking photographs when my family gave me a 35mm SLR for my 21st birthday. For over 45 years a camera has been my constant companion, first as a necessary tool in my career as a geology professor, and now in my second career as a photographer and instructor.” Neilson’s background in the earth sciences strongly influences his work. During his years as a faculty member, his photographic style was purely documentary, but now he has changed to a style that attempts to capture images that trigger an emotion or hint at a story. “I tend towards minimalism and realism in my images, though I use post-modern techniques such the digital darkroom to enhance the final image.”
His fine art photography has been exhibited at the Cabinass Fine Art Center – Gadsden Museum, WorkPlay (as part of the Photo Guild Exhibition), Samford University and Birmingham Art Walk. Neilson also produces commercial images for a variety of clients with work published in Southern Accents, Wood Design Building and Remodel Birmingham magazines. Examples of his work can be seen at www.mikeneilson.com.
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