The Salt Spring Photography Club (SSPC) will kick off its 15th annual Eclectic Visions exhibition this Friday, May 17, with a reception and performance at Gallery 8 by island musician Wilf Davies.
The club’s exhibition runs from the opening reception at 5 p.m. Friday through Thursday, May 30 at Razali May’s Grace Point Square space — and Davies said he was looking forward to his performance.
“I’m delighted to play for this reception in Gallery 8,” said Davies. “It’s a great venue, and the instrument is a nice one.”
Many images at this year’s show are digitally enhanced, merged, scaled or coloured, according to SSPC president Judy McPhee; some are printed on metal, art papers or canvas, she said, and technology is evident in the evolution of visions.
But the purist can also find camera direct photos that are beautiful, stirring, and artistically desirable.
“Every year we share our finest efforts with the audience at Gallery 8,” said McPhee. “Every member of our club sees a unique vision and this exhibit gives each one the chance to share that vision with the community.”
Eclectic Visions will showcase the variety and diversity of SSPC members’ creative photographic talent, according to May — a perfect reflection of their arrayed membership, from seasoned professional photographers to new and relatively inexperienced beginners.
“This year’s exhibit is fresh and interesting,” said May. “’Eclectic Visions’ is exactly what this exhibit presents — a wide-ranging collection of photographic subjects that often have little in common, other than being great photographs in themselves. It’s a chance for our community to enjoy fine photography from local artists.”
Gulf Islands Secondary School Grade 10 photographer Galveston Gill has been invited to show some of his photography with SSPC members at Gallery 8 this year. Gill has been photographing since age seven, when he began borrowing his grandmother’s Canon EOS camera. He entered his photos in the fall fair for the first time in 2015 and since then has won five different trophies in this venue — and the Salt Spring Photo High Aggregate Perpetual trophy many times, due to several “Best in Show” photo wins over the years.
Gill was also chosen student photographer for the Photosynthesis Show in 2023.
“I would like to take photos professionally,” said Gill. “I like to photograph nature, animals and action.”
Gallery 8 hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
SSPC meets the second Wednesday of each month. For more information, visit ssphotog.ca.