The big brick building at 534 New Loudon Road in Latham is the hub of town government. But, the second floor of Colonie Memorial Town Hall also serves another purpose—it doubles as an art gallery.
Since 2008, Allison Lane in the supervisor’s office has been hand picking local artists to display in the makeshift gallery, rotating exhibits twice a month. Photographer Cheryl J. Gowie, a lifelong resident of Colonie, will round out the Town Hall Art Series’ August exhibit with “In the Moment,” which will be on display through Aug. 31.
“My photography is meditative, focused on detail,” said Gowie, a professor at Siena College.
Gowie photographs mostly nature, capturing local wildlife like deer, coyote and turkeys. She’s shot black bear, elk, big horned sheep, bison and wild goats in Yellowstone and caribou, brown mama bears and cubs and birds in Alaska. She has a green thumb, so flowers are another favorite subject, and she strives to showcase the “personality” of the plant.
“I think what people see in my flowers is portraits of people,” said Gowie. “Many people say, ‘I never looked at it that way.’”
As a professor of literacy, Gowie applies the advice she gives to writers — “write about what you know” — to her own photography.
“I photograph what I know best and love most, and that is plants and trees and mammals,” said Gowie.
Since switching to digital photography, Gowie carries a camera everywhere and will snap photos of whatever catches her eye.
“I have found that if I go out with the camera hoping to see something beautiful, I’ll find it. It may be a butterfly hanging around that doesn’t mind my presence or light on a leaf,” said Gowie.
When she doesn’t set out with a specific photo in mind, Gowie said she’s often surprised by what she comes away with.
“Frequently I’ll take a picture of something and only when I see it blown up on the computer screen do I realize there was a dragonfly on that water lily or a spider on that flower,” said Gowie. “With the camera I see more than I see with the naked eye.”
Photography was a leisurely hobby until just recently when Gowie decided to step it up and exhibit around the region. Still, she said she remembers what her very first photo was and why it’s always been a part of her life in some capacity.
“The first photograph I have was when I was in second grade. … It’s a photo of my dog dressed up in dog clothes,” said Gowie, who can trace her journey from black and white photos to digital. “It’s evident I enjoyed taking pictures of trees, flowers and dogs.”
Lane said the art series is a good way to draw more people to Town Hall and celebrate the community’s talents.
“You’d be surprised how many artists there are in the Town of Colonie and Capital Region,” said Lane. “It is a great opportunity for artists.”
North and South Colonie School District students often have their art displayed in the series too, said Lane.
Gowie said having her photos hang on the walls of town hall is fitting.
“I’ve lived in the Town of Colonie as an adult and child. My mother spent her career 200 yards away working in the central office of the North Colonie School District and my office is 200 yards away at Siena, so it feels very close to home,” said Gowie.
Lane books exhibits about six months to a year in advance. Interested artists can call her at 783-2729, email [email protected] or drop by the office to inquire about a spot. The exhibit is free and open for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30
