‘Eye Contact’ Exhibit Opening Nov. 21 At Step Up Gallery Features Photographic Compositions By Tony Jackson
'Aperture at Sunset' by Tony Jackson
tep Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library is proud to host a new exhibit of photographic compositions by Santa Fe photographer and DJ Tony Jackson. The show opens Nov. 21 with an opening reception on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. There will be a gallery talk by the photographer at 2:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Jackson's photographs are large format, high contrast depictions of dramatic landscapes, many with key areas printed in color while the rest remains in black and white. His photographs reflect his love of the desert and mountain Southwest. His work points up the effects of sunlight and rain, and the deep weathering he sees on wood and stone. Although not a New Mexico native, Jackson says he considers himself lucky to call Santa Fe. Jackson's professional career has been as a college professor of literature and film studies, with teaching and writing. He now considers himself semi-retired and is following his heart. "Over the years I took photographs, but not in a serious way," Jackson says. "But once we moved to Santa Fe full time, a 'big life event' occurred: the conjunction of photography and the endlessly spectacular landscapes of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. This show is the result of that conjunction." When he first visited the Southwest, he photographed the monumental and "eyeworthy" sights that call forth the photographer in everyone. "But actively engaging with photography caused me to become equally struck by the undramatic, the unmonumental, unexpected, unlikely elements of the landscape," Jackson says. Jackson's passion for sharing those things he finds unusual and beautiful extends to his Wednesday morning radio show on KSFR, the Morning Mix. He takes pleasure from finding connections between various genres of music and presenting them in a new context. Visit Step Up Gallery's YouTube Channel to view videos of recent gallery talks:
If you have an interest in finding out how to apply for a future opportunity to hold an art or educational exhibit in the gallery, please visit our website: Apply To Exhibit – Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library. Step Up Gallery is located on the upper level of Mesa Public Library at 2400 Central Ave., Los Alamos. The gallery is open the same hours as the library: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays as well as most holidays. The library and gallery are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
