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Artists
are selected in a variety of ways, including recommendation, past experience
with an artist, or the artist reaching out to the libraries. Sally Bannen,
Technical Services Librarian at the Windham Public Library says, “While I prefer to have fresh faces in order
to give a wider opportunity to as many artists as possible, I have allowed past
artists to display again if they ask and the schedule permits. Our current
artist, Josh Emerson, was recommended to the library and we have been pleased
to give him the chance to display his artwork with the community.”
Emerson’s
work has been on display since August, and all displays are scheduled in
three-month time slots. Displaying and highlighting the work of local artists
is important, because the library is a place for all community members, said
Library Director Jennifer Alvino. “The
library belongs to the community and by opening our space to this kind of
display it shows that we are much more than a place for just books. We are a
community space and offer all kinds of services and opportunities for the
community to come together to educate themselves and find entertainment,”
Alvino said.
Emerson said he began painting 20 years ago when he
was in college at ASU (Appalachian State University) in North Carolina, where
he received a BFA in fine arts. He paints every winter, he said, but while he
exhibited on a regular basis until 2008, now he mostly paints for himself. He
said he enjoys getting art out into the community, and is excited to see
Windham increasing this effort through the library and other venues.
MacDonald is a digital photographer, with the
majority of his work focused on landscapes and scenery, which he has been
shooting for approximately seven years. Recently, he has also begun to work on
portrait and studio photography.
When he was younger, MacDonald said, he enjoyed
taking pictures while travelling with his family. On vacations, he’d use a
phone or pocket sized digital camera, and although the photos weren’t top
quality, he enjoyed bringing home photographic memories instead of knick-knacks
from a souvenir shop, he said. As he got
older, he purchased a higher quality camera and taught himself, through reading
articles and blogs and video tutorials online. His only formal photography
training is an Introduction to Digital Photography class he took as an elective
in college.
“It's exciting to see my artwork on display.
Sometimes it feels a little unreal, I never thought of myself as an artist
growing up,” MacDonald said. “I've always enjoyed sharing my experiences and
images with my friends and family, but it's just as exciting to share them with
the rest of the community.”
Emerson’s work has been shown in Raymond once
before, and at a few local small businesses as well. “I've always been
fortunate enough to get great feedback from my showings. It's nice to make a
sale or two during a showing, but the words of encouragement and positive
feedback from those who see my work really keep me going and encourage me to
continue doing what I do,” he said.
MacDonald has an online gallery at www.fineartamerica.com/profiles/jesse-macdonald.html and his work can also be found on Facebook at Jesse MacDonald
Photography.
The work of both Emerson and MacDonald will be on
display until the end of October.
