Local photographic and art groups plan 2014 gallery shows

Left: The Best of Show award in the 2013 NAL show went to Charlotte Hamilton for "Mother and Child." Right: The photograph "Cranes" by Connie Thompson was awarded Best of Show at the 2013 NPA annual juried show. The 2014 Best of Show winners will be announced at the opening reception of this year's shows at 6 p.m. Friday, June 20, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Nacogdoches Photographic Association and Nacogdoches Art League will open their 2014 gallery shows with a reception at 6 p.m. Friday, June 20, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

Theme for the photographic association show is "Black and White," and serving as juror will be Michael Greer, a graduate of the Stephen F. Austin State University and owner of Michael Greer Photography in Western Springs, Ill.

The "Black and White" theme was chosen because "although many pictures in color are very beautiful, quite often a black and white photograph can better display the skill of the photographer when the composition, the framing and the choice of image are the elements that the photographer must depend on to carry the message that is intended," said R.G. Dean, member of the NPA.

Greer selected 69 images from the 156 that were entered by NPA members. Awards will include Best of Show, first, second and third places in two categories - traditional and digitally enhanced - and honorable mention. The 2014 Best of Show recipient will be announced at the opening reception.

The Nacogdoches Art League was organized in 1969. Its purpose is to encourage appreciation of and participation in the various visual art media. Activities include one or more annual exhibitions; art demonstrations and informative programs; and, the awarding of one or more art scholarships each year to a Nacogdoches County high school senior who will attend Stephen F. Austin State University with a major or minor in art.

Regular meetings are held monthly September through June, and guests are welcome to attend. Membership in NAL is not limited and is open to anyone interested in the visual arts.

Since NAL embraces all visual art media and has members in numerous media, no theme is adopted for the gallery show. Awards will include Best of Show, first, second and third places in two divisions - professional and non-professional - and honorable mention. This year's juror is Corrine Jones, a local independent artist who has taught at Angelina College and SFA.

NPA meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month (except on field trip nights) in the upstairs gallery of The Cole Art Center. For more information about the Nacogdoches Photographic Association, contact NPA president Elton Scifres at escifres@sfasu.edu, or R.G. Dean at dean@sfasu.edu.

Both shows will run through July 19 with the NPA show in the Reavley Gallery and the NAL show in the Reception Gallery.

All receptions and gallery exhibitions are free of charge.

Gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main Street. For additional information, call (936) 468-1131.