As Lynn Moskowitz drove to the Clifton Park Halfmoon Public Library Monday, Jan. 28, a little before noon, she thought of the perfect title for her photograph.
She decided the piece would be called Autumn of Late because she was running a little late to drop off her entry in the library’s 13th annual Juried Show of Art and Photography.
The color photograph, which went on to win second place in the color photograph category, features Moskowitz’s 11-year-old daughter, Emma, covered by a pile of leaves.
`I know that you don’t always get a lot of good photographs,` Moskowitz said. `This one wowed me.`
She said that as a photographer for a newspaper, she saw first-hand how difficult it was to capture a perfect moment.
While she did not plan to enter the show, positive feedback from family and friends who saw the photo hanging in her home, prompted her to enter.
`I’m one of the few people using a non-digital camera,` said Moskowitz, who takes pictures with a Nikon FE2 SLR camera.
This posed a slight problem for her. When she went to have the photo printed, they lightened her daughter’s face. However, her intent was for her daughter’s face to be a little shaded so she went back to the printer and had them reprint the original.
Her artistic eye paid off, and she will accept a second-place award in the category of color photography, at the show’s reception on Saturday, Feb. 9.
Although, the majority of pieces in the show this year are photographs, paintings and other art forms are also represented.
`It’s almost reverse,` said Gail Winters, head of the reference section at the library. She said that two-thirds of the entries used to be artwork and one-third was photography, but now people primarily submit photographs.
The library looked at 71 entries, and selected 38 of those to be displayed in the library’s art gallery through the end of the month.
Librarian Melinda Taormina said, `The submissions came in fast and furious.`
Madeline Sicko of Halfmoon, who also entered a piece last year, which the jurors selected, entered another award-winning watercolor this year.
`There is a lot of talent in the area, and I am tickled to be among them,` Sicko said.
`To be chosen two consecutive years in a row is an honor,` she continued.
Sicko’s watercolor, which took third place in the painting category, allows for some viewer interpretation. Her painting shows the trunks of birch trees in a row surrounded by bright orange and yellow tones. Sicko said it is supposed to show the sun rising or setting, but she will allow the viewer to decide.
Although Sicko cannot remember exactly what inspired her to paint the piece, she said she remembered seeing the view somewhere.
`Just something about the way the light was hitting the birch trees struck me,` she said.
After painting shop windows as a high school student in Brooklyn, Sicko became interested in the medium. However, she had taken a break from her hobby when she raised her family, but recently renewed her interest when her daughter gave her a clipping from the newspaper advertising a painting class. Sicko enrolled, and she now spends two hours a week in painting class.
Sicko said she often gives her work as gifts and would eventually like to open a gallery to display all of the local talent. She also said she feels refreshed after painting and is grateful to have an artistic outlet.
The library will also hand out 22 other awards during Saturday’s reception. Awards will be given to Nancy Glover, Paul Lee and Kathryn Klompas for their experimental pieces; Cynthia Knox, Jonathan Newman and Jill Murphy in the category of pastels and pencils; and to Jean Wendover and Laurie Baram in the painting category.
Color photo awards will also be given to Stacey Milburn, Moria Driscoll, Andrew Deck, Alfred Tsui, John Delvin, Dennis Coyle, Laurence Laliberte, Norman Goldman, and Brian Chrapowitzky.
For black-and-white photography, prizes will be awarded to John Preston, Eden Loffel, Heather Blackman, and Angela Carvey.
Karen Rosasco and Lawrence White judged the pieces.
Rosasco has taught art for more than 30 years and helped to judge the Annual Juried Art and Photography Show in 2001. She focused on the art while White judged the photography.
White owns Les Fauves Gallery in Schuylerville and teaches photography at Rensselaer County Council for the Arts. He worked for Rolling Stone and Time for 30 years before moving to upstate New York.
The reception, which is expected to draw more than 100 people, will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the library’s program room. Local keyboardist Paul Cronin will provide music. Awards will begin at 3 p.m. Light refreshments will also be served.
All show works will be on display until Friday, Feb. 29.
The library’s art gallery is located on the second floor of the newly built library at 475 Moe Road in Clifton Park.
For more information about the show or gallery, contact the library at 371-8622.“