Photography, jewelry exhibits at city library throughout Januar
Brockville Recorder and Times, Canada
An up-and-coming amateur Brockville photographer will be exhibiting his work on the walls of the Brockville Public Library during January, while in the library’s display case will be a small exhibit of silver jewelry.
Derek Atkinson, a 24-year-old student in his second year of St. Lawrence College’s child and youth worker program, says his photographic work focuses mostly on nature but includes some abstract shots and some portraits and action shots of local youth bands.
His nature scenes are all from Brockville and area, including numerous sunrises on the St. Lawrence River and views of swans, geese and ducklings at the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area just north of the city.
A hobbyist at this point, Atkinson had a small exhibit of his work this year at the Brockville Arts Centre, has sold his work to businesses and has done commissioned portraits.
During his classroom placements with children and youth in his college program, he has been using digital photography as a therapeutic medium and has found it to be a rewarding way to interact with young people.
Atkinson’s exhibit will be hung on the walls of the adult reference section at the library throughout January.
In the display case under the photo exhibit are items of jewelry created by Mardi McFarlane and Sheelah Tolton, who is just 14. McFarlane and Tolton met while taking a sterling silver jewelry making course at St. Lawrence College, and McFarlane has since encouraged Tolton to explore jewelry making even further.
McFarlane’s display features silver wire sculpture jewelry, while Tolton is exhibiting seed bead necklaces and bracelets, as well as wire-wrapped stone pendants.
“They’re pretty complicated designs, that have a sophisticated look,” says Tolton.
Also on the second floor, in addition to the photographic and jewelry exhibits, there’s an exhibit of mixed media works by students in the Grade 12 art class of Mary-Louise Olajos, at Athens District High School.
It’s located on the walls of the young adult reading area.
The Brockville Public Library is located at 23 Buell Street and is open Tuesday through Sunday in January.
Published in Section A, page 4 in the Wednesday, January 3, 2007 edition of the Brockville Recorder & Times.
Posted 4:31:26 PM Wednesday, January 3, 2007.
