Celebrations in Dayton
By Focus Photo Club
Many of the members grew up in the Dayton area and are involved in a number of the local volunteer organizations. As a result, the photographs being displayed in the Activated Spaces storefront display project represent a range of celebrations related to downtown, some formal, some just fun. Photographers are naturally drawn to brilliant lights and fireworks; the exuberant people of World A’Fair (May20-22 at the Dayton Convention Center), the Dayton Celtic Festival (July 29-31 at RiverScape MetroPark) and Masquerage (October 15); and they can’t resist the laughter in the fountains and the reflections on the rivers. This makes a large group of images, but then again, there’s much to celebrate in Dayton!
About Focus Photo Club:
Teresa Jack graduated from Fenwick High School in 1985. It was there her interest in photography blossomed with the purchase of her first Canon Snappy Camera. Jack specializes in landscape, wildlife, still life and portrait photography. Her pictures have been published in industry magazines, and her Wright Flyer Trolley image won first place in the Cityscape category for Light Up Dayton 2009. The Wright Flyer Trolley photo is currently on display at the Dayton International Airport.
Art Fabian is a retired educator and an accomplished panorama photographer. Art has displayed his work in variety of locations and special gallery showings. “My camera goes along on most trips that my wife, Louise, and I take to various locales around the country,” Fabian says. “However, I don’t always leave home to get a good shot. In fact, some of my favorite spots to visit are right in my own backyard. Of course, my ‘backyard’ includes Five Rivers MetroPark’s conservation area Shiloh Woods where I find a great variety of wildflowers and animal species to model for me.Jim Hayes began an interest in photography in high school, borrowing his father’s Roleiflex and developing in a makeshift dark room in the family home. After retirement, he purchased his first digital camera and photography became his main passion. Hayes’ work has been displayed at the Penbroke and James Library galleries in Massachusetts. He is a member of Town and Country Fine Art Gallery and does pro bono work for the Vandalia Historical Society and the Dayton Humane Society.
Vickie Barnhill, born in Dayton and raised in Centerville, is an avid photographer who is a former board member of the Focus Photo Club that meets monthly at Cox Arboretum MetroPark. She was named Focus Photo Club’s Photographer of the Year for 2008-2009 and has had a number of photos featured in Five Rivers Metro Park’s publications. She’s also had some success at a favorite website where she has won two second-place awards, each win edging out over 250,000 entries.
Laura James attended college at Ohio State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. Although she is not a true native Daytonian, she has strong ties to the city through her grandparents, whom she visited with frequently all her life. James moved to Dayton in 1991 with her daughter, Alexandra. She then married Michael and became stepmother to Lynn. James has a passion for photography and is often roaming the MetroParks with her camera. Many of the photographs you see are taken in and around Dayton.John Murphy is a native of Dayton and is on the board of Focus Photo Club. He took up photography as art a long time ago. Along the way he has done a number of shows, has been featured on half dozen magazine covers and prominantly in “Gems of the Miami Valley,” a locally produced coffee table book. Murphy has a strong interest in creative portraits and innovative scenic images, both indoor and outdoor. He specializes in exotic lighting methods and patterns.