Monday, June 27, 2011

Talking Hands at The Dutot

The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery in Delaware Water Gap, PA held a gallery talk on Saturday June 25th featuring stories shared by photographer Sally Wiener Grotta relating to the images she captured for the exhibit. The exhibit itself is titled, “Pennsylvania Hands” which is a regional part of the American Hands Project. The exhibition continues until July 3rd.

“American Hands” is a project which Ms. Grotta creates narrative photographic portraits designed to honor those who live in the United States and endeavor to keep alive the traditional hand crafted arts and crafts that built our country’s dynamically diverse culture. When images of “American Hands” are exhibited in PA, it is referred to as “Pennsylvania Hands.” The Lebanon Valley Mall in Lebanon, PA will host the exhibit beginning July 5th with a Gallery talk scheduled for Saturday July 9th. The Exhibition Continues until July 30th. You can learn more about the project and how artists and artisans can contribute toward her continuing endeavors by visiting the American Hands website at www.amhands.com.

The talk was an enjoyable and a very informative one. Many nuances of the skills of the subjects captured were brought to light just as a camera’s flash often reveals a moment that otherwise may be lost for all time. Even though the majority of the photographs taken were posed portraits, they managed to embody a spontaneity of the spirit found within each of her subjects. The words she shared during her presentation added a texture to the images as the images added a profound dimension to her words. You’ll find more photographs taken during the gallery talk in The Visual Arts 2011 Gallery at www.facebook.com/forwardian.dude..

In addition to housing an Art gallery The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery also houses a museum of local history in a one room school house built around 1850. The facility is named after Antoine Dutot who founded the town which he named “Dutotsburg” and is now known as Delaware Water Gap, PA. The town still reflects the French heritage of its founder and has become known as the New Orleans of the Poconos with its architecture and well known Jazz establishments. The Museum is open during the Summer Weekends for self directed tours.

The next exhibition to be presented at The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery will feature the work of Jill Swersie. The Artist’s Reception will take place Friday July 8th beginning at 7pm. The exhibition continues until July 24th. Please Explore The Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery Website at www.dutotmuseum.com or call 570-476-4240 for more information.

1 comment:

Sally Wiener Grotta said...

Thank you for a very nice write-up, Paul. One correction, however. None of the photos are posed. I photograph the artisans while they work. We talk and connect on many levels. Sometimes, they look up at me, and I will take a photograph of that connection. Those are the pictures you saw of them looking at me.