Walking through the gallery at the Rye Arts Center, teacher Paige Buonocore saw several familiar names—those of her students.
Among the photographs hanging on the walls were pieces by her Advanced Placement 2D Art and Design students who won in the The Ground Glass 2nd Annual Student Photography Invitational hosted by the arts center. The Ground Glass, an independent association of area photographers, was founded in 1975.
On Thursday, May 18, several seniors and guests enjoyed an opening reception at the gallery, where student work will be on display through June 10 along with the work of Ground Glass members.
Senior Victor Way was awarded a Best in Show for his photograph, “Ripped Up Identity.”
Jury selected pieces, which were juried by Rita Baunok, owner of Chroma Fine Art Gallery in Katonah, went to seniors Sydney Anmuth, “Buyount,” and Jacob Moore for his piece, “Head Space.”
Honorable mentions were given to: Sydney Anmuth for “The New Wave;” Lucy Balanoff for “Coneflower;” Jayce Brossman for “The Ancient Messenger;” and Estefania Carbo for her pieces “Nicolas,” “Mi casa es tu Casa,” and “Miss en Heredia.” Other Honorable Mention recipients were: Lexi Denn for “Travels” and “In the Clouds;” Daniel Karetsky for “Frozen Branches” and “The Flower Falls;” Talia Levy for “In God’s Image;” and Nico Gonzalez for “Otherwordly.”
“It’s an honor for them to win,” Ms. Buonocore said. “For me it’s a culmination of everything I’ve taught them, everything they’ve worked so hard for.”
Her students this year comprised one of the largest classes she has taught, and they impressed her with their work throughout the years.
“I'm so very proud of not only their exhibition successes, but their accomplishments as photographers,” she said, “Over their four years with me, the students have truly become masters of the medium and grown so much as artists. Their work is sophisticated and very thoughtful.”
Victor said he has been taking photos ever since his mom gave him a camera when he was a child.
His favorite part of photographing the world around him is to focus on what he sees in one instant. For his exhibition piece, he said it was “an interplay of light and shadow.”
“I like that I can see my work in a physical space,” Victor said of his piece being on display. “It’s a very different experience.”
In the fall Victor will be attending NYU Gallatin, the university’s school of individualized study, where he plans to focus on politics and psychology. He said he’d be interested in continuing to take courses in photography.
“It was a nice compliment,” Talia said of having her work chosen for an honorable mention. “It’s nice to feel recognized.”
She will be attending NYU and plans a course in liberal studies.
“It feels like an accomplishment,” Sydney, who will be attending the University of Michigan to study art and design, said of her honors, adding that she enjoys photographing people.
Daniel Karetsky said he began taking art classes at the encouragement of a friend, but initially it was not something of interest. He admits it was not long before he began to enjoy it, especially the photography.
“You can take pictures of anything,” he said, adding that he could not believe his work was accepted into the Ground Glass exhibit.
Photography is right up Jacob Moore’s alley. In the fall he will be attending the University of Wisconsin, where he plans on studying communication arts and television and film.
Jacob said his photography was a great way to get an understanding of lighting, blocking and orientation.
He said the piece he submitted for the exhibition is one of his favorites, and he was pleased to have it selected.
The Rye Arts Center is located at 51 Milton Rd., Rye. The Ground Glass 47th Annual Photography exhibit runs through June 10.
