Heather Riddell
In Motion Staff Writer
As the fall semester at Daytona State College begins, so does the new Southeast Museum of Photography season of exhibits, movies and special events.
The season started in August with the photographic artwork of “Faculty Focus 2018,” a collection featuring the work of faculty members Patricia Bambace, Jayanti Seiler, Eric Breitenbach, Steven Benson, Dan Biferie, Per Hans Romnes and Kevin Miller, who is the former director of the SMP. Also showing their work were Laine Wyatt, Justin Nolan and Steven Spencer, who are faculty members in the University of Central Florida photo program, which is in partnership with DSC’s.
During a recent orientation session for new photography and Interactive Media students, which ended with a tour and reception for the faculty exhibit, the crowd took in the artistic skills of their instructors. From Seiler’s surrealistic photography to Benson’s geometric images of construction sites, the variety among the faculty was impressive.
Current Museum Director James Pearson, who is a longtime curator in academic circles, is now making an effort to secure the financial future of the SMP by soliciting $5 donations from visitors to the museum, creating a Friends of the Museum group and in the spring staging a community fundraiser,
While the museum started out as a simple display case in the photo department, created by Department Chair Dan Biferie, it was through a grassroots campaign that the SMP was born over 40 years ago. But like anything else, the museum requires cost-of-living funding to stay open. That is how Pearson’s $5 fundraiser idea came into existence.
Pearson, however, isn’t stopping there. With Friends of the Museum, he will be asking patrons to donate $300 or more for the betterment of the museum, its displays and education programs.
“I would urge anyone with an interest in seeing the museum carry on its mission to contribute in what way they can, knowing that any support from the community will be returned to the community through our public programs and outreach,” he says.
“Together we can create a lasting legacy for the students of Daytona State College and the community of Central Florida. Together, another 40 years is possible.”
Now on view at the museum is “Southeast by Southeast,” curated by Bambace, and running through Oct. 27. During the week of Sept. 24 the museum hosted visiting photographers and photography professors from Chiang Mai University in Thailand. A series of events surrounding the visit provided an array of opportunities for photo students, including portfolio reviews, workshops, a gallery of photographs created by students from Chiang Mai University and a panel discussion during the opening of the exhibition at the museum.
For the past 10 months, Bambace worked tirelessly to create and coordinate the international exchange.
“She has worked without thought to advancing her own career and well beyond what little honorarium I have provided. Her dedication to student learning and advancing student opportunities at the Southeast Center for Photographic Studies should be applauded,” says program chair Biferie.
Opening Oct. 2 will be “Nolan Preece,” whose “chemical paintings” use photo chemicals, materials and darkroom processes to make images. The display runs through Nov. 24, with a 5 p.m. lecture and reception for the artist scheduled for Nov. 15.
This month, Family Photo Fun Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. “Making Memories” with Mason jar crafts is the theme. Mason jars will be decorated with the fall season in mind. The event is free for children 6 to 13, but registration is required and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
As far as community outreach programs are concerned, there will be a “Layers of Meaning: The Art of Photomontage,” Level 1, offered from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27. The instructor will be Edson Beckett and cost is $65. Those who register by Oct. 12 will earn a $10 discount.
Also on tap is “Art in Action: Veterans Exploring the Visual Arts,” continuing classes through December. Military vets are provided free art materials and classes. No experience is necessary to participate.
For information on educational outreach programs, contact Christina Katsolis at 386-506-4569.
Making its debut on Sept. 12 and running through Dec. 5 is the latest free film offering, “Strikingly Original.” The series is held in the Madorsky Theater at the SMP, which is housed in the Hosseini Center, Building 1200. Films are screened at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesdays. The evening showcase is followed by a cinematic discussion led by Senior Professor of Photographic Studies Eric Breitenbach.
Oct. 3, the film will be “Under the Skin” by director Jonathan Glazer, followed by “A Ghost Story,” by director David Lowery on Oct. 17. For information on these and upcoming films, go to www.SMPonline.org or call 386-506-4475.
“These are all films we’ve been meaning to show, but they never quite fit into one of our themes, so we put them into this strikingly original series,” explains Brietenbach, who originated the free and popular film series six years ago.