Opening at The Gallery at Hallmark

The Gallery at Hallmark is pleased to announce the opening of "The Artist as Art", a stunning series of intimate portraits by photographer Ellen Denuto. A successful commercial photographer based in New York and New Jersey, Ms. Denuto is also an accomplished fine art photographer. Her series includes images of artists such as poet Allen Ginsberg, jazz musician Dan Faulk and photographer/musician/writer Gordon Parks.

Denuto has been working on the series for a number of years, inspired by the creativity of the artists, photographers, writers, musicians and actors in front of her lens. She asks the question, "Why do artists create?" As an artist herself, she says the answer is always the same: "Because I must." Her intent is to capture this truth in her portraits.

As past president of the New Jersey Chapter of ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers), Denuto has had access to other creative types. At sittings, she was continuously awed by the graciousness and generosity that the artists offer up. Because time with her subject is often limited, and it is often her first introduction to the subject, she goes into the shoot with little or no knowledge of the space she will be working in nor her subject's personality. However, she says, "I work best when I'm responding to the spontaneity of a situation." It is this spontaneity that becomes the basis of her portraits, allowing the viewer a glimpse into the soul of each artist.

The exhibition opening reception, available to the public at no charge, will take place at The Gallery at Hallmark on Friday, September 30th from 4:00 - 7:00pm. The show will be on display Fridays through Sundays from 1:00 to 5:00pm through Sunday, December 18th, 2011.

The Gallery at Hallmark is located at 85 Avenue A, in historic downtown Turners Falls, Massachusetts. Admission is free and free parking is available in the Shea Theater's designated areas

Gordon Parks © Ellen Denuto

For Further Information
lisa@hallmark.edu
413-863-4038,  x15
jpeg's available upon request

About The Gallery at Hallmark

The Gallery at Hallmark strives to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for photography by displaying visual expressions of the fine and applied photographic arts. The Gallery serves as an extension of the educational processes and objectives of Hallmark Institute of Photography while endeavoring to engage the lives of students, the local community, the state of Massachusetts, and the Northeast region. The Gallery at Hallmark fulfills its mission through exhibitions, outreach, and related educational programs dedicated to cultural and intellectual enrichment.