"Off the Clock" Opening Night

The ASMPCV juried exhibition "Off the Clock" opened Friday night, March 13, 2009 at the Crittenden Gallery in Richmond's Manchester District. The turnout was excellent, about a hundred throughout the night, and was made up of photobuyers, arts patrons and photographers.

The exhibit, organized by ASMPCV board member, Allen Jones, took over a year to put together and was juried on December 14, 2008 by Magnum photographer, David Alan Harvey, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Paul Mellon Educator, Jeffery Allison and BCF creative director, Keith Ireland. There were 152 entries from 36 ASMPCV members. The jurors chose 22 photographs from 14 photographers for the show.

Juror Jeffery Allison and Megan Liles view Brook Mayo's photographs.

The jurors chose Mark Atkinson's photo "Cooke House Girls" as the signature image for the exhibit, to be used on the invitations, web page and news release.They also felt strongly that rather than frame each piece in identical 24 x 30 frames, as originally planned, the images should be varying sizes, a minimum of 24 " with some as large as 4' x 4'. ASMPCV member, Guy Crittenden reprinted all the images and mounted the entire show.

ASMPCV vice-president, Christopher Winton-Stahle and his wife Heidi dance in front of Mark Atkinson's photo "Cooke House Girls"

Guy Crittenden

Publicity for the show, handled by Melissa Jones, helped turnout the crowd. Organizer, Allen Jones, was interviewed by WRIR; the Times Dispatch gave the show prominent play in the Sunday calendar and will be doing a story on the exhibit next week. Allen will be appearing on the WWBT Noon News soon as well.

ASMPCV members Eli Morris and Jeff Saxman share a laugh

The ASMPCV slideshow of member's work ran throughout the night on the widescreen TV over the bar. The Ironhorse Restaurant provided the catering and open bar, which may explain the booty dancing.

The show runs through May 15, 2009, so if you missed the opening, you have plenty of time to see it. Plans are to begin moving the show into corporate galleries around the state once it closes at the Crittenden Gallery.

Thank you to everyone for making this a success starting with all ASMPCV members who took the time to enter their photographs. The entire board worked hard to pull this off, but especially Allen Jones, who had the idea in the first place and who worked tirelessly for over a year to put it together. And finally thanks to Guy Crittenden for his superb printing and for continually allowing the chapter to use his beautiful studio/gallery for our functions.

For more photos click here.