Feature Image: The exhibit install team – Gordon Fong, Dean Terasaki, Rick Gayle, Brad Armstrong, Bob Galloway, Neil Miller, Fred Ullrich, Susan Ruscetti. © Fred Ullrich
Waiting for the presidential debate to start and thinking how important this event is for the country, I was trying to imagine all the people behind the scenes who work hard to make sure their candidate is successful. All the planning and effort, probably performed without a lot of sleep, making sure they reach their goal. I could not help but think of our own version of “behind the scenes” projects but without the worldwide attention.
Some five weeks ago Arizona Photography Alliance (AZPA) concluded our own “behind the scenes” version of organization with the annual AZPA Members’ Exhibition at the Mood Room, Park Central (Phoenix, AZ). We were focused on providing a unique and thoughtful experience to all members and we thank them for taking the time and effort to participate in the three-week exhibition.
For the fourth year, ArtLink Arizona donated the use of the Mood Room gallery and for 18 days of that period, planned events took place. These events required the incredible volunteerism that is AZPA. Our members/volunteers, with willingness and enthusiasm, got the job done. Tasks varied as we presented artists talks, in-person and using Zoom; a couple of “Movie Nights” hosted by our own in-house movie critic and discussion leader; and a portfolio sharing hosted by a skilled fine art collaborator and member. As we approached the last week of events, we had enjoyed a good turnout at an Instagram presentation and a photo walk of the Park Central Campus hosted by our AZPA President Neil Miller. This event was open to both members and the public. In summary, throughout the exhibition, the dedication of our members made all of it happen! Our sincere appreciation goes to:
Our 55 participating artists/members.
Your works received compliments from our professional juror, Tempe Center for the Arts Senior Visual Arts Curator Michelle Nichols-Dock, who found the exhibit to be exceptional.
Behind-the-Scenes Workers (BTSW)
Nancy Miiller, Emily Sims and Kathy Morgan – Instagram and email blast communications
David Dupree – online gallery, EventBrite event ticketing development
Mary Ellen and Bill Fuller, Betty Drake – reception hosts
Rick Gayle, Gordon Fong, Neil Miller, Susan Ruscetti, Richard Laugharn, and Chris Palmer – submission delivery and sequencing
Rick Gayle, Neil Miller, Brad Armstrong, Susan Ruscetti, Bob Galloway, Dean Terasaki, and Gordon Fong – members’ show installation
Becky Ross and Rick Gayle – juror arrangements
Susan Ruscetti – gallery staffing
Rick Gayle – movie nights
Neil Miller and Kathy Morgan – annual meeting and reception
If, inadvertently someone has been missed in acknowledgments, please know how much your efforts were appreciated.
Fred Ullrich
Contributing Writer
Fred Ullrich studied photography at University of Wisconsin, Whitewater and at Arizona State University, Tempe. He holds a master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University. Fred worked for nearly three decades at Fermilab, the world renown particle physics research laboratory where he served as manager of Visual Media Services. During this time, Fred honed his skills photographing and video recording on some of the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments associated with the U.S. built Tevatron Accelerator and the European-built LHC Accelerator at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. Fred has been published in Europe and the United States and continues to make black-and-white images that are exhibited and sold to fine art collectors throughout the United States. In 2013, Fred moved from the Chicago area to downtown Phoenix where he has established his fine art photographic practice.
Contact Fred