newsletter #20 - january, 2013

Humanities Council Funding, Traveling Exhibition, Physics and Art, The Golden Retriever, and Other News:

• Humanities Council Support for Meetinghouse Presentation:

  Is your library, historical society, or other non-profit organization looking for public programs at little or no cost to you?

  I am pleased that my illustrated presentation, New England's Colonial Meetinghouses and their Impact on American Society, has now received approval from both the New Hampshire and Vermont Humanities Councils for financial support to bring this fascinating story to non-profit organizations within those states.
  
  Not from one of those states? I'll work with you to apply for funding in your state too!
  
  This presentation was developed over several years as I traveled around New England photographing these marvelous structures for my book A Space for Faith: The Colonial Meetinghouses of New England. This presentation is both entertaining and informative, and will appeal to people interested both in American history and fine photography. It has been well received by many audiences.
  
  Want to learn more? Here's the link: Meetinghouse Presentation.

  To inquire about bringing this presentation to your town, please e-mail me: Contact Paul.
  
  Would you like me to contact an organization directly? Send me e-mail and I'll do the leg work.

  
  (Photo at right: Carriage Towne News Photo by Larry Kennedy, www.carriagetownenews.com - used by permission)

• Traveling Exhibition and Book:

  Photographs from my book, A Space for Faith: The Colonial Meetinghouses of New England, are still available as a traveling exhibition for museums and university galleries. These photographs are selenium-toned silver gelatin prints from 4x5 negatives, and have been described as reminiscent of photographs by some of the great masters of the 20th century such as Ansel Adams and Minor White.
  
  The exhibit consists of 72 matted photographic prints, and can be tailored to meet your curatorial needs. The exhibit is housed in archival storage containers, and can be shipped via UPS or Fed Ex in customized wooden crates. The exhibit also includes labels and wall text.
  
  Information about the book and exhibit can be found here:
  
  

  • Book: A Space for Faith.
  • Exhibition: Traveling Exhibition - contains a description of the show and past venues.

• And Now for Some Physics:

  As reported in my previous newsletter, I am continuing to make images that straddle the line between science and art.
  
  I had an inspiration at age 17 when I saw a way to combine my passion for photography with my growing knowledge of physics. After reading a physics textbook description of a "double pendulum," I envisioned a way to make images that were both abstract and mysterious. Now, 45 years later, my inspiration has resulted in a series of photographs that some might think are computer-generated, yet are actually long exposures using a 4x5 inch large-format camera, processed and printed in a traditional darkroom.
  
  Since the photographs are made in my barn in total darkness, and since I am not much of a night person, it is only practical for me to work after sunset during the winter months. Working in winter also has the advantage of not being eaten alive by mosquitoes and all the other flying insects that thrive here in New Hampshire during the warmer months!
  
  For those of you in the vicinity of southeastern New Hampshire, I have the image at right on display in a group exhibition sponsored by the New Hampshire Society of Photographic Artists. The exhibit is in the old Exeter NH Town Hall (2nd floor), and is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4:00 through February 2nd.
  
  I will be showing more work, and giving a presentation about how I make these photographs, at the Exeter Town Hall gallery on Sunday, January 13, at 12:30 PM.
  
  Want to see more? I have a selection of images posted here: Sample of New Work.

  If you get an error message, re-load the page.

• And on a Personal Note:

  My close friends will tell you that I am completely smitten by "Keeper," my two-year-old Golden Retriever.
  
  During the past year, my wife Judy and I have been training Keeper to be a visiting/therapy dog at hospitals and nursing homes. I am pleased to report that this past November he passed both the aptitude and skills evaluations administered by Pet Partners, a nation-wide testing and registration organization that sets standards for therapy animals of all kinds.
  
  Starting in January, we will be giving back to our community by bringing a little bit of unconditional love and affection to people who really need it.
  
  I'm so proud of him!
  
  Are you a dog person? Here's some additional photos: Puppy Pictures

For more information about my book, A Space for Faith: The Colonial Meetinghouses of New England,
or to order copies, please visit: A Space for Faith.