Intermont Photography News & Events

From Abingdon Arts Depot:

Six Virginia Intermont seniors in the Photography and Digital Imaging Department have their works on display at the Abingdon Arts Depot’s Special Exhibits Gallery, April 4-May 4. The show is free and open to the public. An artist’s reception will be held April 21 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.

This show is the culmination of years of dedicated study by the six students:  Paige Barbush of Harrisburg, Pa.; Bailee Packett of Montross, Va.; Jacob Pelz of Huntersville, N.C.; Benjamin Kavit of Yorktown, Va.; Krystle Brenneman of Virginia Beach, Va.; and Aleesa Cahill of Riverhead, N.Y.

Barbush’s show: “Abandoned in the Light.”

Packett’s show: “documentary series of photographs about adapting to life in America.”

Kavit describes his exhibition as depicting “relationship between the astronomical view of the visible universe and the obstinate view of our current society.”

Brenneman’s exhibit: a self-portrait project “exploring herself as a woman.”

Cahill’s work: “plays with peoples’ obsessions with their technological devices.”

Visit the department online at www.photomajor.com for more information and an in-depth look at the photographic programs offered.

The Depot Artists Association is a non-profit volunteer organization that operates the Arts Depot and is dedicated to promoting the arts in the community and features the region’s artists. The Arts Depot is located in the historic Depot Square area of downtown Abingdon, Va. The gallery and seven working artists’ studios are open for viewing Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and by appointment. There is no admission charge. For further information, please contact the Arts Depot at (276) 628-9091, or e-mail abingdonartsdepot@abingdon.com, or visit its Web site at www.abingdonartsdepot.org.

Robby Hinson earned his bachelors degree from Virginia Intermont College in 1985.  He continued his work as an image-making into the 90′s, unti; he redirected his energy to raising a family. For the next 16 years, he focused on family and after losing his son in an auto accident in 2009, he returned to his photographic roots.

A product of the digital crossover years, Hinson shoots panoramic images on medium format film, which he then scans and prints digitally, producing large scale digital editions. He believes that black and white imagery elevates the subject in a way that color cannot—making the subject more raw, more elemental and more important than it would be otherwise.

His work records and reflects a vanishing landscape, a Southern Americana rapidly disappearing from view but preserved in his work, both as art and document, from his own unique perspective, for generations to come.

Hinson’s work remains on display in The Photography Gallery, Worrell Fine Arts Center, through December 1st.

Awarding winning commercial photographer Glen McClure returned to VI this weekend to conduct a workshop for our photography & digital imaging students.

We are excited to bring back Glen McClure this year, thanks to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Glen is from Norfolk, VA, and has worked as a commercial advertising photographer for over 30 years.

Glen talked about his street photography at 10am on Saturday. After the lecture, Glen shared his recent photographs from Ireland and discussed his working methods with our students.

In the afternoon, Glen went on location with students assisting to shoot some street portraits of passers-by in downtown Bristol.

Continue reading “Award Winning Photographer Conducts Workshop” »

Tying in with National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), Virginia Intermont College celebrates Hispanic awareness with a presentation and campus visit by renowned photographer and speaker Jose Galvez on Thursday, October 18 at 7:30 pm. As part of the College convocation series, Galvez will speak at Harrison-Jones Memorial Hall and his photos will be on exhibit in the gallery of Worrell Fine Arts Center Oct. 4-25. The Thursday evening event is free and the public is invited.

Galvez will inspire students and the community with his presentation titled “Shine,” a collection of life stories that hail back to his beginnings as a shoeshine boy. Since that time Galvez has spent more than 40 years using black and white film to create a powerful and unparalleled historical record of the Latino experience in America. In his compelling work, created with respect and pride, he captures the beauty of daily life.

Following the Thurs. evening event at Virginia Intermont, Galvez will interact with students in classes. On Friday morning, he will lecture in two “Photographer’s Vision” classes and in a Cultural Heritage & Public Arts class called “Documenting Culture.” Friday evening, Galvez will attend a special dinner and conduct a presentation to students pursuing a degree in Social Work. On Saturday, Galvez will lead VI photography students to photograph a local Latino community. Continue reading “VI Welcomes Latino Photographer Jose Galvez on Oct. 18” »

Cattle Guard, Dirt Road ©Joesph Champagne 2012

Joe Champagne, VI Professor of Photography and Digital Imaging, was one of 33 artists selected for an international photography exhibition in Asheville, N.C. titled, “Road.” The event, hosted by Castell Photography Gallery and curated by W.M. Hunt, will open Friday, Oct. 19 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the gallery, 2C Wilson Alley, Asheville, N.C. Champagne will exhibit his image, “Cattle Guard, Dirt Road; AZ.”

Hunt, a prominent collector, curator and consultant, will travel from New York to attend the opening, which will include specialty cocktails and a patron walk-through at 7 p.m. Hunt chose 36 works by 33 artists out of over 600 entries received. The 36 works represent each artist’s interpretation of the exhibition theme, “Road.”

“The road can be personal: a psychological or spiritual passage. Or it can be literal. The range is from transcendence to travel. It can take place in your head or in your backyard or in your car.” states Hunt. Continue reading “Champagne Chosen For “Road” Exhibition” »

Kayla Robbins  (Decatur Texas, class of 2014) is one of only two students to be awarded the 2012 Agnes Cooke Scholarship by the Virginia Press Women, Inc.

Chico, 2011 ©Kayla Robbins

Virginia Press Women, a diverse organization of professional communicators who are women and men, and the Virginia Press Women Foundation are proud to offer a $550 scholarship to a deserving Virginia college student interested in pursuing a career in communications. Continue reading “V.I. Student Wins Prestigious Scholarship” »

Joe Champagne, Professor of Photography & Digital Imaging and Fine Arts Chair, has been selected for inclusion in Art From The Heart 2012, a juried exhibition of international photographic and photography based artwork.

Weeds, Fence ©Joseph Champagne, 2012

The exhibition is the creation of the New York-based foundation The Vanderbilt Republic, which  “explores paradigm shifts. Presently, we’re examining the purpose and place of the artist in society.” Continue reading “Photography Prof Exhibits in NYC” »

Four Intermont photography students are working this summer to refine their skills in the real world, while making a contribution to national and community organizations.

Josh Weilepp (Springfield, VA– class of 2014) is interning  with the Smithsonian Institution’s  Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. He will be shooting  the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, as well as editing and cataloging images from himself and other photographers and handling image requests received from outside.

LeAnne Harrington (Blountville, TN – class of 2015) is shooting for the Bristol White Sox, doing all their special promotion events and most of the games. Jonathan McCoy (Brisotl, VA – class of  2014) is also helping out with the Sox, although his official internship is with the Kingsport Times News, shooting sports and general news events. He has had several pictures published already.

Paige Barbush (Harrisburg, PA – class of 2013) is the official photographer for Abingdon’s Virginia Highlands Festival, July 28 to August 12. Her shots will be used for the Festival’s publications, be outsourced for any general PR use and be used in a video being produced by a local T.V. station.

Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion has received a Pinnacle Award from the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association. BRRR received the award for “Stateline” State of Mind, a two minute music montage of photographs taken by Virginia Intermont College Photography students during Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion.

From Cybergrass, The Bluegrass Music News Network:
“To achieve the Pinnacle from the Northeast Tennessee Tourism Association means a great deal for our event and for Bristol,” says Birthplace of Country Music Alliance (BCMA)/Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion (BRRR) Executive Director Leah Ross, “We are working toward making The Birthplace of Country Music a music destination year-round. Being recognized by the tourism industry means we have their support. It’s a real honor.” Read the article at CyberGrass.com

Intermont Photo is the Official Provider of Photographic Services for
Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion, where our students gain valuable experience and showcase their talents while performing a real community service for the sister cities of Bristol VA & Bristol TN. See more of their work in our image gallery. Continue reading “Student Work Featured in Award Winning Video” »