Published: May 01, 2008 06:38 pm            

Griffith, Schwenk slated as featured artists at library

TERRE HAUTE — Look for works by artists Alan Griffith and Kelly Schwenk in the month of May in the Vigo County Public Library at Seventh and Poplar streets.

Griffith was born in Terre Haute in 1953 and is a lifelong resident. He attended area schools and holds an associate degree in photography from Ivy Tech. Griffith has no formal training in his chosen field of art and is mostly self-taught.

He has been much influenced by surrealist artist Salvador Dali.

“I am drawn to surrealism because of the complete creativity of the style. I feel that an artist should create new and interesting images to capture the imagination of the viewer,” stated Griffith. Exhibits by Griffith include “Portrait of Salvador Dali; a Tribute” and “Justice; Corrupted.” The latter was exhibited at the Vigo County Fair and won three awards, First Premium, Best of Show and Champion.

In “Portrait of Salvador Dali; a Tribute,” Griffith used several items that Dali was famous for, such as the soft watch, drawers, the boat and the crutches. In “Justice Corrupted,” he said, “I used the image of blind justice in a corrupted fashion to show what I believe is a state of man’s ‘justice’ toward his fellow man in society today.” Griffith is a member of the Wabash Valley Art Guild.

Photographer Schwenk graduated from Indiana State University with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts studio photography in 2002. Schwenk has been head photographer for Chappell Studios in Iowa since 2002. She photographs graduates at universities and high schools around the nation. She is a freelance photographer for weddings/engagements, family portraits, senior portraits, high-school reunions and nature/travel photography. She has been a member of The Wabash Valley Art Guild since 2005. She was the co-president for this active artist group in 2007. She also is a member of Arts Illiana since 2008. Visit kellyschwenkphotography.com to view other images or e-mail kellyschwenk

photography@gmail.com with any questions or prices.

The images displayed this month in the library are both landscape images. One is titled “New Mexico Desert Sunset,” and was taken in 2007 on an expedition led by National Geographic photographer Carole Devillers. The expedition visited Silver City, N.M., and surrounding towns. The other image displayed is titled “BWCA: Peaceful Waters.” This image was taken during a week trip into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Ely, Minn., and Canada.

Artist statement: “I have had a love of the arts for many years. When photographing various subject matter, I concentrate on lighting, depth of field and overall composition. Photographs are full of emotion no matter what the subject matter might be. When viewing my work as a whole, you can see that I do not focus on just one area of subject matter. I believe that shooting a variety builds a well-rounded appreciation and skill that is needed in this field of art.”

Work may also may be viewed at the Raven Gallery at 817 Ohio St.

Works published: ”Shades of Tomorrow,” The International Library of Photography 2003; and “Around 505,” New Mexico Magazine 2007.

To learn more about the Wabash Valley Art Guild, visit www.wabashvalleyartguild.org.

        

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