The “Double Vision” art show, a collaborative project that pairs visual artists with photographers to create works of art inspired by the photographers’ images, will take place during the Walkin’ on Main event on Saturday and Sunday, November 11 and 12.
The idea first came to Larry Gallagher, who runs the Verde Valley Photographic Society, when his wife Debbie Gallagher, a painter, said that she wanted them to work on a collaboration. He later saw a similar concept in an issue of Arizona Highways magazine.
Larry Gallagher proposed the idea to the Verde Valley Photographic Society and then found artists through El Valle Artists’ Association. Although his goal was to have 10 artist-photographer pairs, he ended up with around 10 photographers and 40 artists.
The exhibition’s title, “Double Vision,” refers to both the vision of the photographer who composed and processed an image and the vision of the artist who interpreted the photograph to create a new work of art. Participating artists were given access to the photographers’ images via an online portfolio. They could choose to recreate an image in another medium or create something else entirely, changing the color palette, focusing on one element of the image or adding or removing elements.
Gallagher discussed examples of photo and artwork pairs that will be presented during the show. One photograph of aspens in fall became the inspiration for a fused glass piece. Another painting is completely abstract and will not bear any visual resemblance to the photograph. A third artist is creating a three-dimensional piece by taking felt and silk and pressing it into foam board. While still resembling the photograph, it is a completely different piece of art.
“To me, the most interesting ones are the ones that deviated significantly from the photograph,” Gallagher said.
Gallagher talked to the photographers and made sure they were fine with giving complete artistic freedom with their photographs to the artists to have fun with it. He said that the photographers he has spoken with have been impressed and surprised by how their images have been interpreted and recreated.
Gallagher said that the best part of the Verde Valley Photographic Society meetings is when everybody gets to share their work with others. Many photographers do not have a chance or a venue to do this, so he thought it was important to have a space for photographers and artists to share their work with the public.
“I really want the public to see the incredible talent that is in the Verde Valley,” Gallagher said. “The art that these people are producing is just blowing me away.”
Gallagher added that this was a huge, collaborative effort on the part of many people that contributed in ways beyond just their art. He also thanked the city of Cottonwood, Travis Wilson and Jak Teel for letting them use the clubhouse.
While the art show takes place, artists will be selling their work at various tables throughout the room.
The art show and art sale will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cottonwood Clubhouse, located at 805 N. Main Street.
