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C'est
bon: photography exhibit at Franco-American Centre opens
By Michelle Saturley
HippoPress.com
On Friday, Aug. 8, the Beliveau Gallery at the Franco-American Centre
held a reception to celebrate the opening of a new photography exhibit,
"Photography Biennial." The Gallery hosts this exhibit every
two years in conjunction with Gary Samson, who is the photography
department chair at the New Hampshire Institute of Art.
About 120 art fans attended the opening to view photographs by Samson,
Celine Baribeau, Caitlin Dyer, Claudia Rippee and Lisa Nugent. Samson,
who invited the rest of the photographers to participate in the display,
said he had two prerequisites for being a part of the ensemble.
"The photographers I asked to join the exhibit this year either
had to be of French or French-Canadian descent, or the subject matter
of their photographs had to reflect French or French-Canadian material,"
he said. "I also tried to select photographers who are at different
stages in their careers."
For example, Samson asked one of his NHIA students, Caitlyn Dyer,
to show some of her photos and a handmade book detailing her experience
as a figure skater.
"Her work is quite good, and she needed an opportunity to show
it. This was the perfect fit," Samson said.
Samson himself has a French-Canadian heritage. His parents were both
born in Quebec, and he travels to the city with his own family to
give them a sense of connection to their roots. One of his photographs,
of Quebec's Chateau Frontenac, was taken on one of these family trips.
Other photographs range in location from French-speaking countries
to the exterior of Manchester's own Winona Social Club. The eclectic
combination demonstrates how many corners of the globe are touched
by French culture.
"Photography Biennial" will be on display through Wednesday,
Sept. 3. Centre hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, call the Franco-American Centre, located at
52 Concord St., at 669-4045.
Michelle Saturley can be reached at
hippo@hippopress.com
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