Dynamic Classes and Free Workshops Highlight Event Nov. 2-4
Presentations by renowned photographer Matthew Christopher of Abandoned America and four-time Pulitzer Prize winner and Bethlehem native Carol Guzy, more than 15 presentations and hands-on workshops, and free community meetups highlight the 9th Annual InVision Festival this fall. The festival, which is presented by the nonprofit ArtsQuest, takes place Nov. 2-4 at the Banana Factory Arts Center and throughout the region, offering professional development, networking and experiential events for image-based artists, creative entrepreneurs, makers and DIYers.
On Nov. 3, 1 p.m., join author and photographer Matthew Christopher, creator of the Abandoned America website and book series, on a journey through some of the country’s most fascinating and hauntingly beautiful ruins like the SS United States in Philadelphia. From his inspirations to how he came to explore such unusual spots, Christopher shares some of his favorite spaces including a fascinating tour of forgotten schools, churches, prisons, factories and homes that have not been included in his previous presentations. His work is at once a cry for the preservation of our vanishing architectural heritage and a eulogy for the ruins in our midst. Tickets for this artist’s talk are $27 for ArtsQuest Members and $30 for the public.
On. Nov. 3, 3:30 p.m., InVision welcomes Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Carol Guzy. A graduate of Liberty High School and Northampton Community College, this renowned photojournalist earned praise for her coverage of conflict and natural disasters in Colombia, Kosovo and Haiti, making her the only journalist to win four Pulitzer Prizes for her reporting.
Following her presentation on Hurricane Maria at InVision in 2017, Guzy returns with “Bearing Witness: Part 2,” a discussion aimed at enlightening audiences on the power of empathy and awareness through photojournalism. Guzy flew to Puerto Rico for the first time the day Hurricane Maria hit, and her photos document the tragedy that occurred and the resilience and resistance of the incredible people that live there during the longest blackout in U.S. history. Six months later she returned to find that the rebuilding and relief efforts were far from over.
Guzy will discuss her experience documenting Puerto Rico, as well as the major world events she has witnessed over the past year in the hope of opening a dialog of support for individuals suffering from emotional aftershock and how to deal with trauma, loss and post-traumatic stress. Tickets for her presentation are $27 for ArtsQuest Members and $30 for the public. Saturday festival passes, which include access to all Saturday ticketed lectures and presentations, are also available for $58.50 for ArtsQuest Members and $65 for the public.
An exhibition of Guzy’s work, “Puerto Rico ¡Adelante!,” will also be shown Oct. 20-Dec. 9 in the Banana Factory’s Banko Gallery in conjunction with a fundraiser for Estamos Listos Coalition, a campaign led by the Community Action Coalition Committee of the Lehigh Valley. This organization provides support and resources to residents of Puerto Rico displaced by Hurricane Maria as well as relocation to the Lehigh Valley.
The 2018 InVision Festival also includes a diverse array of presentations and hands-on, experience-based workshops for both artists and innovators.
New this year, join photographer and camera collector Carlos Reyes for the free Analog Camera Lunch Hour Nov. 3, 12:30 p.m., and experiment with a variety of film and Polaroid cameras. Film and instant film are seeing a resurgence with a generation that grew up with digital photography as the norm. Taking a digital photo gives instant results but also takes away the mystery of what’s on a roll of 36 frames.
Looking to build a collection of stunning prints? Visit Fegley’s Bethlehem Brew Works for the all-new, free InVision Photo & Art Swap Happy Hour at Steelgaarden Nov. 3, 5:30 p.m. Professional and novice photographers are invited to bring photos or artwork to swap with others, all while networking with likeminded artists and enjoying food and drink specials. Exclusively for this event, Dan’s Camera City is offering five free prints, which can be ordered through its website at www.danscamera.com.
Other InVision highlights include:
The free InVision First Friday at the Banana Factory Arts Center Nov. 2, 6 p.m. – the largest open house of the year! Photography and photo-based art is on display throughout the building and individuals and families can create miniature photo assemblages, view screen printing and hot glass demos, check out the dark room and more! Banana Factory resident artists will have special displays on view to highlight how they use photography as a resource or as source material in their work. Featured events include an artist talk with Harris Fogel, Peer to Peer Photo Review and the awards ceremony for InVision Juried Photo-Based Art Exhibition & InVision College Competition.
New in 2018, InVision hosts a Social Media Influencers Panel with Bekah Rusnock, Amber Galdamez, Andy Po and Jeremy Cohen Nov. 3, 11:15 a.m. This panel features individuals with 20,000 or more followers on Instagram, discussing how they found success and how they use the photo and video tools available to them to tell their story for a variety of audiences. Tickets for this event are $9 for ArtsQuest Members and $10 for the public.
Additional workshops include:
How to Photograph Your Artwork with Olaf Starorypinski | Nov. 3
Coffee & Cameras: #Instameet with Bekah Rusnock | Nov. 4
Photogram Workshop with Nicki Stager | Nov. 4
From Digital to Darkroom with Michael Barone | Nov. 19
For the complete InVision Festival schedule, or to register for a workshop, please visit www.invisionphotofestival.org.
Information and image provided to TVL by:
Mark Demko, ArtsQuest
http://www.artsquest.org/
