Portland Maine Photo Exhibit , Art Benefit & Mombo dance party of the Month

This is Gallery Talk your window into Portland, Maine's world of art with host Lars


When I heard that Photographer Richard Sandifer was combining a new photo exhibit opening, gallery open house tour, a benefit for Safe passage and a Mambo dance party on Friday September 17th all I was thinking was:
pinch me I'm dreaming, I love all that stuff.

I received an invite to tour the Sandifer studio gallery prior to the Friday night opening.  I do not know much about photography but I have taken some photographs,  I have even taken a few with my camera phone.  So you could say I'm a photographer. Right?  After viewing Richards work I'd say not,  we are not in the same league.  I wouldn't even call Richard a photographer, he's much more.
He is a Visual Artist,  he merely employs the camera as an assistant to aid him in capturing that moment in time, that "Mojo Moment" that makes the image uniquely special and for many magical.  The Sandifer body of work is varied from portraits of Families, corporate executives, landscapes, luminaries, commercial advertising and local magazines.  Sandifer's studio space provides a cozy backdrop for the portraits and landscape images.  It features wide pine floors, warm lighting, a cool garden and patio space that Sandifer says
"when you are there time loses all meaning".


The Open Studio event features photos the artist recorded on a journey through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the California coastline.  Whether it's viewing Big Sur's jagged raw beauty through a haze of yellow California Mustard seed flowers or the Mars like landscape of the high altitude Sierra Nevada range,  Sandifer and camera have captured some special moments.  I am thankful he chose to share them with us. 

Portrait by Jen Joaquin

I would be remiss to not comment on Sandifer's commitment to  Safe Passage . The open Studio event raises awareness and funds for the Safe Passage School this is the 10th anniversary open studio event. Last Year $1200 was generated and donated to the Safe Passage School . The School is located on the fringe of Guatemala's 2000 acre city trash dump the Safe Passage School was the brain child of the late Hanley Denning , Maine resident and Bowdoin College Grad.  Known as the "Angel" Hanley's founding the school and volunteer work has allowed many of Guatemala's children to become educated and have opportunities their parents never had.  To support that Safe Passage Latin theme Sandifer has DJ Johnny Mambo coming in to spin salsa flavored beats. Also in addition to an at the door donation for Safe Passage,  portrait artist Jen Joaquin http://www.vibrantartstudios.com/  has created two paintings which will be sold and a portion of the proceeds going to the Safe Passage fund.
 

A celebration of Art, Culture and the Creative Energy it's the Richard Sandifer Open Studio Event,  151 Newbury St on Portland's east end
Friday night 5:30 - Midnight.
For more information go to the Richard Sandifer web site http://www.rgsphoto.com/#/open-studio-2010
 

 

Why go to the Sandifer open Studio Event?

Because your good mind needs some good  art!



The Gallery Talk is made possible by the University of Southern Maine and the generosity of you the WMPG community of listener-supporters.  The Gallery Talk blog is the text version of the art rant heard every Thursday at 7am, 5 & 8:30pm on WMPG college and community radio
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