Year 2022 ended well for me (mostly).
Last July I received a notice from a friend that one of my work places, a large complex (campus, they call it) collectively known as Rock Lititz- which revolves around two very large rehearsal facilities, was
Hosting a Community Art Show.
The Campus has multiple buildings (pods), one of them (Pod 2) being mainly public/retail/meeting spaces with a Bistro type restaurant (to use the term loosely). Management at The Rock, as it turns out, is very supportive of the “creatives” in our community. They have an annual Community Art Show, a Community Art Marketplace at Christmas, and throughout the year feature individual artists in the hallways and meeting rooms of Pod 2.
Last July I was unable to show anything but got in contact with them to inquire about a solo exhibit of my photography. They responded enthusiastically and it spurred me into having some prints made. So as of mid January (this month) thru March, 13 framed photographic prints of mine will be exhibited at Rock Lititz’ Pod 2!
A few weeks back, I attended an opening a lady I knew only thru
[email protected] book was having at our local Art Association of Harrisburg. She’s a photographer, and is sharing a “show” at the AAH facility. Got to talking to the President while there, who invited me to send her some examples of my work. She got excited about my photos and was very complimentary of them and the fact that I shoot film.
I ended up joining the Association, and they have arranged for me to exhibit my B&W “moto” photos at 2 corporate office buildings throughout 2023!
The accidental side effect of all this - that I hadnt considered, is that I may end up selling some prints- the AAH Prez has suggested I get a price list together! Additionally, after this years Race Of Gentlemen, a couple people are interested in prints of their race cars, and one guy wants to pay me to come to NJ shoot his cars.
All of this came together in December, from efforts I began during the summer. I’d agonized literally for years over which way to go with having prints made, and exhibiting at Rock Lititz was impetus enough to get me over the hump on that. The dominoes all fell in the sweet spot and 2023 begins with promise. I don’t necessarily see this as the threshold of a new career, per se. But it sure feels good!
Now on to the “mostly” bit- a couple weeks ago after a load out at Rock Lititz’ Studio 1, a long time work buddy was killed in a car crash as he drove home to Delaware! I’ve known Mike for at least 10 years and he was a really good guy. The news of his death sent shockwaves through our community- just a few days before Christmas and the holiday hiatus. Unsure what if anything we’ll do… but it dampened the spirits considerably.
Guess it goes to show that we have to just take the good with the bad. Life goes on, but sometimes the ups and downs aren’t easy to navigate.
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