Glance at GALLERIES and you'll spot several photography exhibits in and around town. John Comito captures nature in his black-and-white photographs at Inkley's Gallery 127. Alice Drake's color photography is filled with both bright and muted hues. And Park City photographers are participating in an invitational show in Kimball Art Center's Badami Gallery.
Comito was introduced to photography in high school when a friend sneaked him into photography classes."But it wasn't until 1981 when I attended a workshop with Bruce Barnbaum and John Sexton that I really became excited about the possibilities of photography," he said.
Comito's photography is greatly influenced by his love of the outdoors. He is particularly drawn to the "intimate landscape - the quiet settings often overlooked." Most photographers would ignore a wire dangling in front of a window frame or a white branch casting its shadow across the sand.
This quest for finding great design in unexpected places has helped Comito "grow and become aware of the fragile yet beautiful environment . . ."
Unfortunately, I visited Alice Drake's exhibit too late to write about it before it ended Friday in the University of Utah's Union Gallery. But one look at her work told me she's no novice to photography - or, for that matter, to the principles and elements of art.
Every photograph in the show - landscape, nature close-up or portrait - was a work of art. Not only did she capture impressive color but the prevailing mood of the subject matter as well.
Some of my favorites were "Weir," "Hot Tanks," "Century Plant," "Spring Sugaring Off," "October Leaves" and "Indian Paintbrush."
Hopefully, Drake will exhibit again soon so more people can become acquainted with her highly professional, aesthetic approach to photography.
- The Intermountain Society of Artists will hold its August education meeting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 237 S. 1000 East. Guest artist will be Rose Ann Peterson. The public is invited at no charge.
- Lectures, workshops and classes.
Aug. 6-10 and 12-16, Kimball Art Center, 638 Park Ave., Park City (649-8882) - Ceramics porcelain workshop with James Srubek.
Wednesday, Aug. 7, noon, Salt Lake Art Center - Art-lunch gallery talk on "Utah '91: Works on Paper" by guest artist.
Aug. 12-16, KAC, 638 Park Ave., Park City (649-8882) - Printmaking workshop by lithographer Todd Frye.
Wednesday, Aug. 14, noon, SLAC - Art-lunch gallery talk by artist Diane Douglas on exhibit "Greetings and Salutations!"
Aug. 19-23, KAC, 638 Park Ave., Park City (649-8882) - Watercolor workshop taught by James Schnirel.
Aug. 19-23, KAC, 638 Park Ave., Park City (649-8882) - Clay sculpture workshop taught by Judy Summer.
- By Richard P. Christenson