December is a time for holiday parties at work and with family and friends. On Thursday evening on December 12, 2019, the second annual Holiday Print Share and Social was held by Arizona Photography Alliance and co-sponsor Imageworks, a large-format camera group. The festivities were held at CattleTrack Arts Compound, a beautiful, historic space with gallery rooms and studios located in Scottsdale at 6105 N. Cattle Track Rd. near the intersection of Hayden and McDonald Drive.
The party started at 6 PM and lasted till 9. When my husband, Monte, and I drove into the parking lot, we had to turn our bright lights on since it was pretty dark out and the compound is located in a very quiet and private area. For this very reason, CattleTrack Arts Compound is a well-suited environment for artists to work. I vowed to myself to return during the day to see more of the facility.
As we entered, a large crowd had already gathered around a large table filled with plates of cheese & crackers, dips of all kinds, cakes and cookies, wine, water and soft drinks. I greeted those I knew and met new faces over my plate of tasty samplings. I was impressed by the energy of the event in getting people to feel welcome and in anticipation for what was to come next.
After about an hour enjoying food and wine, talking with friends, having a chance to look over a sample photo book that AZPA President Neil Miller brought in of the newly published collection of members’ photographs, we all were asked to gather in the next room to begin the evening’s print share.
The room was set up beautifully, with folding chairs facing the stage where members of AZPA and Imageworks could present their collected photo or a piece of art for 5 to 10 minutes, while sharing what made their selections special to them. I sat in the front row for a good view and regret that I chose not to bring a black and white landscape print owned by my grandfather-in-law from the 1930s. I had great fun listening to the stories behind the works presented by about 14 individuals. I found the experience relaxing, informative, humorous and touching.
I will definitely participate in next year’s gathering!
Afterward the prints were on view for all to see up close, and we had a chance to chat with members and presenters about their artwork, stories or what have you.
For me, the point of the evening was simple: I was inspired to keep creating photographic artwork simply by being in the company of other artists. It helped me to cultivate hope and motivation for a new year with friends while making new ones in service of the love of photography. Despite our various aspects or level of involvement, we all had something in common.
This year’s Holiday Print Share and Social was a good night filled with warmth, inspiration and good cheer. The outstanding preparation and planning by AZPA board members, Imageworks and those who guided the print share and organized the rooms for our large group made the event a seamless, fun night.
Until next year, keep sharing art that you love!
Teresa Tarara
Event Reporter
Theresa Tarara, also known as Terry, is a fine art photographer living in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband Monte Ewert and two cats. She started her journey into learning about photography from 1978 to 1980 at the University of Arizona. She took a detour from art to get a Bachelor of Science degree in computer Information systems from DeVry Institute of Technology in 1985 and worked for Ramada Inc. and the U.S. District Court of Arizona in data processing user support until 1995. Missing the creative arts she went back to college at Arizona State University and completed her Bachelor of Fine Art degree in photography in 2002.
She makes her photos using both digital and analog forms with a collection of vintage and modern cameras. Printing images using nineteenth century processes as in tri-color gum bichromate, platinum, and cyanotype opened up another world of possibilities of creation. She and her work advanced in a unique direction while opening up unlimited ways to interpret the world around her. As a member of Arizona Photography Alliance, the notion of going it alone as an artist was no longer an option because meeting new people who love photography in its many forms of expression gives one the feeling of belonging and that nourishes creativity in the best way.
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