Tag / arts

by shannonchance

Inter-changes: Reflections from Dublin and Beyond

The Fulbright Commission of Ireland and the University of Notre Dame

are hosting the launch of a new photo exhibition

Inter-changes: Reflections from Dublin and Beyond

By Dr. Shannon Chance

6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

Keogh Naughton Notre Dame Centre, O’Connell House, 58 Merrion Square, Dublin 2, Ireland

RSVP: joanne.davidson@fulbright.ie / 01.660.7670 by May 1st, 2013

The show will be available for viewing throughout the month of May (weekdays 9-5 at the above address).  You can come meet the artist at the launch or 5-7 on May 16, 12-2 on May 22, or 12-2 on May 27.  Here’s a sneak peek at the show in preparation….

The photos drying at Dave’s new studio in downtown Portsmouth, Virginia.
The photos arrived in Dublin beautifully intact…
…thanks to the high level of care Dave gave them in printing and packing.
I mounted backing boards in Dublin…
…and got them ready to hang…
…with Colleen Dube, the CEO of the Fulbright Commission in Ireland.
It takes a lot of concentration to get them hanging on the walls.
But thankfully Colleen has experience at this….
…she used to work at the National Gallery.
And she has a really good eye for aligning and leveling…
…which I’ve never been good at myself.
But I’m learning by doing…
…and the show is shaping up.
We’ll finish hanging the rest tomorrow in preparation for the May 8 opening.
by shannonchance

Criminal Courts and First Thursdays in Dublin

Lobby of Ireland's Criminal Court Building, located near Heuston train station.

Lobby of Ireland’s Criminal Court building, located near Heuston train station.

Former Fulbright Pam Eddy and I enjoyed a quick visit to Temple Bar’s First Thursdays events during her February visit.  Throughout most of the year, the galleries and other cultural establishments throughout Temple Bar stay open late (6-8 PM) on the first Thursday night of each month.

Pam and I had time to visit just two galleries because I’d been part of a Fulbright “field trip” to the Criminal Courts of Justice building that started at 5 (as pictured to the left).

It appears that First Thursday is officially dormant during March. This year, it  will re-emerge on Thursday, April 4.

The surprising thing about the many free cultural events offered in Dublin each year is the high level of participation among Dublin residents.  In many other cities, residents ignore such offerings.  That is truly not the case here!

The Temple Bar Cultural Trust website explains:

First Thursdays Dublin is a Temple Bar Cultural Trust initiative that brings together art galleries, cultural and creative spaces on the first Thursday of every month – by sharing the same late-night opening times.

First Thursdays Dublin (FTD) happens on the first Thursday of every month. Opening hours are extended from 6 – 8pm in a number of galleries. Please note: this list changes every month for First Thursdays! It offers you an extra opportunity to visit exhibitions, attend cultural events and experience some light-night culture. It is our way of experiencing a taste of Culture Night on a monthly basis!

The National College of Art and Design (NCAD) draws a big crowd on First Thursdays… even on a rainy night!
Pam studies a table on display at NCAD.
Enjoying a glass birdcage with Pam at NCAD.
This is a detail photo of a piece on display at NCAD.
Pam and I got a comprehensive tour at the art gallery in the New Theater on Essex Street.
I found some fun reflections to capture.

Here is the list of the galleries, cultural and creative spaces that are now part of First Thursdays Dublin:

  1. Basic Space
  2. Block T
  3. Centre for Creative Practices
  4. Cow’s Lane Designer Studio
  5. Darc Space
  6. Debbie Paul Studio and Gallery
  7. Design Yard
  8. Designist
  9. Douglas Hyde Gallery
  10. Draiocht, Centre for the Arts
  11. Dublin Civic Trust
  12. Exchange Dublin
  13. Gallery @ No. SIX
  14. Gallery of Photography
  15. Gallery Zozimus
  16. Graphic Studio Gallery
  17. Green on Red Gallery
  18. Hillsboro Fine Art
  19. Jam Art Factory
  20. James Joyce Centre
  21. Kevin Kavanagh Gallery
  22. Little Green Street Gallery
  23. Monster Truck Gallery & Studios
  24. National Gallery of Ireland (open late every Thursday)
  25. National College of Art and Design Gallery
  26. No Grants Gallery
  27. Project 51
  28. Project Arts Centre, Gallery
  29. Olivier Cornet Gallery
  30. Science Gallery
  31. Sol Art Gallery
  32. Talbot Gallery & Studios
  33. Tamp & Stitch
  34. Taylor Galleries
  35. Temple Bar Gallery & Studios
  36. The Copper House Gallery
  37. The Doorway Gallery
  38. The Goethe Institut
  39. The Green Gallery
  40. The Icon Factory
  41. The Joinery
  42. The Keeling Gallery
  43. The LAB
  44. The Little Museum of Dublin
  45. The Market Studios
  46. The Picture Rooms
  47. The Pallas Projects
  48. The White Gallery
  49. White Art Lady
by shannonchance

Upcoming Photo Exhibition in Dublin

I’ve got an exhibition of reflection photographs in the works for spring. It’s to occur during May at Notre Dame’s O’Connell House on St. Stephen’s Green.  Tuesday, I met to plan with Notre Dame’s Lisa Caulfield and Joseph Stranix as well as Fulbright’s Joanne Davidson.  I showed them some examples of my work and, thankfully,  got enthusiastic response. 🙂

It’s a big, beautiful space and I look forward to filling it with images.  It’s so much space, in fact, that I am hoping to include my two favorite photographers in the show. (I’m seeking final approval for that.)  I’ll keep you posted as plans progress.

It’s a gorgeous space, and I though you might enjoy seeing it pre-show:

Lisa and Joanne reviewing my photos from a past exhibition.
The view toward O’Connell House (it’s on the right, Marrion Square is to the left.)
Plaque inside the O’Connell House.
The fabulous and welcoming O’Connelll House.
I can hang photos in the entry hall…
…and the two large rooms on the first floor (that’s the second floor in American terminology).
A view of the two rooms.
View from the back room.
I’m not using this room, but I wanted to show it to you. So beautiful. The back wall is hung in “salon style.”
by shannonchance

The Magic Lens of Glen McClure

Photo of Glen McClure when he was featured in Insider's Passport. (Photo by Marshall McClure, downloaded from Insider's Passport.)

Photo of Glen McClure when he was featured in Insider’s Passport. (Photo by Marshall McClure, downloaded from Insider’s Passport.)

Alt Daily has just published a feature on Glen McClure and his spell binding photography — including images from Ireland, Italy, and Virginia. The feature includes over a dozen photos — just click “next” under the first photo to sequence through the photos and the article about Glen.

As for myself, the most meaningful of the set is the image of “Carl Alston-2100 Colonial Avenue.” That’s because I helped at the shoot where the photo was taken. It was Glen’s first street shoot, a genre in which he has excelled. I was the person who asked Mr. Alston if Glen could take his picture — and thankfully, Mr. Alston said yes. He was carrying a braille newspaper.

Dave and I were also with Glen this past September when he captured “Vortex-Letterkeen Wood-County Mayo Ireland.”

I especially love “Liquid Sky Inch Strand-County Mayo Ireland.” In fact, I purchased a copy of this image for Dave for Christmas a couple of years ago. Today, it’s proudly displayed in our dining room.

There’s also “Achill Island Ireland-ST Pattys Day Parade” that I’ve shown you before. And some treats I haven’t shared before:

“The Joy of Youth-Venice Italy” and

“Silver Strand-County Mayo Ireland” and

“Sheffrey Hills Light-County Mayo Ireland.”

by shannonchance

What to See in Dublin?

St. Patrick's Cathedral has marvelous exhibits and spectacular Evening Song.

St. Patrick’s Cathedral has marvelous exhibits and spectacular Evening Song. (Image from the Cathedral’s website.)

My aunt Kitty Lee is coming to Dublin soon for a visit, along with her friend Patty. They asked:

Are there websites we should check out before we arrive in Dublin for planning our days when you are working or do you have things to suggest?  Neither one of us is big on museums.  We prefer to see the sights and experience the culture.  Obviously we have to visit the Cobblestone Pub with you 🙂. Did you mention some cathedrals in Dublin?  We wouldn’t mind visiting/touring one of them.

With their preferences in mind, Dave and I quickly assembled a list of sites I think they should see in Dublin.

Dublin Castle as seen from the garden of the Chester Beatty Library. (Image from Dublin Attractions.)

Dublin Castle as seen from the garden of the Chester Beatty Library. (Image from Dublin Attractions.)

We have also found these sites interesting:

Main Reading Room of the National Archives in Dublin (Image from blog by Librarinista.)http://librarianista.tumblr.com/post/3918081339/reading-room-national-library-of-ireland-dublin

Main Reading Room of the National Archives in Dublin (Image from blog by Librarinista.)

There are many sites in the city I haven’t yet seen. (When I looked through one of my three Dublin guides just before Christmas, I realized that I haven’t seen half of the Dublin sites they list.)  I’ve been wanting to visit:

Header from the Jeanie Johnson web site.

Header from the Jeanie Johnson web site.

by shannonchance

Christmas Presence

We’re never in a hurry to open gifts when we’re at Mom’s for Christmas.  Gifts just aren’t the focus of our gathering.  This year, we waited until today, December 27, to make our exchanges.

We had a lot of fun, nonetheless.  The pictures look much like the past five years (the same five characters, the same house).  This year, we’re just a bit older and, hopefully, wiser.  You’ll see from my photos that the gifts we give tend to be practical, educational, or cultural….

An ornament I brought Mom from Ireland.
Heather went to Rome and found this ornament for me…
…in the shop where I’d taken the picture behind me in this February 2012 gallery show.
Heather opening a package.
I received many books on teaching/learning and Ireland.
Dave got a book about modern Irish architecture.
Heather with wood carving. (Several years ago, Heather and Leslie were cultural envoys to Zimbabwe.)
Leslie gave many heartfelt gifts, cultural treasures he’s collected during his life.
Heather’s new boots. She really needs these for living in NYC.
Mom received an amazing cotton-picking doll from Leslie. She was deeply touched.
I got a quilter doll, significant to me because Ma quilted and several of my students have studied the connections between quilting and African-American architecture.
Heather Massie and Leslie Lee.
Candle holder from Esther and the rest of the Sterchi family.
Curious kitties!
by shannonchance

Another Norman Rockwell Christmas at Kitty Lee and Glen’s

Introducing my Massie grandparents — Layton (Pa) and Lillian (Ma) Massie.  They are my Dad’s parents, and they used to live in Staunton, Virginia.

Layton McCarthy and Lillian Forsythe Massie.
Heather with Lillian (Ma) and Layton (Pa) Massie.
Amanda and Lilli with Lillian Massie a couple years ago.

Although Ma and Pa are no longer with us, most of their kids and grandkids (as well as their great grand kids and their great great grandkid) gather at my aunt Kitty Lee’s home each year to celebrate Christmas.

I enjoy this outing and the chance to catch up with Kitty Lee and Glen (who live in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley), as well as my Dad and the rest of the Massie tribe.

This is the way we’ve celebrated Massie Christmas since the mid-90s.  Before that, we’d all gather at my grandparents’ cozy bungalow at 414 High Street in downtown Staunton, Virginia.

The pictures below were taken December 22-24, 2012.

Arriving at Kitty Lee and Glen’s house for Massie Christmas.
Kitty Lee and Glen Layman at home in Harrisonburg.
Kitty Lee always decorates so beautifully for the holiday.
Dave playing with Kitty’s cat, Whitney.
Kitty Lee’s most recent needle point project (one of two angles shown here).
Enjoying the Layman sunroom (that I helped design many moons ago).
A view of the Shenandoah Valley on a clear day…
…and then the snow rolled in.
And the hills and silos were shrouded by snowflakes.
Kitty watching the snow start to fall.
Massie family dinner. Thanks Dad, Kitty Lee, and Glen for hosting dinner.
The kids aren’t so little any more.
Michelle, Kitty Lee, and Dave looking over my grandparents’ high school yearbooks.
Pa was in the drama club…
…and on the baseball team…
…and on the basketball team too!
Dad and Kitty Lee trying to find their parents’ photos.
Kitty Lee Layman, Buddy Deaton, Heather Massie, and Maureen Deaton.
My cousin Michelle and her daughter Ryleigh.
Ryleigh and Michelle admiring ornaments that record our family history.
Lilli keeps us all in stitches.
Amanda (Lilli’s mom) and her sisters Chelsea and Kaitlin.
Exchanging Christmas gifts with Dad.
Birds enjoying the snow, including a cardinal (the Virginia state bird).

by shannonchance

Dave Chance Downtown

We haven’t yet started moving Dave into his new photography studio at 610 High Street, but we’re starting to design how he will use the space.  Our friends Jenn White and Dan Bell met us there the other night to celebrate Dave’s news.

Looking north on the 600 block of High Street in Portsmouth, Virginia. Dave’s new studio space is at the back of his courtyard.
Dave in his new space.
Inside the space as it is now.
Jenn White and Dan Bell brought champagne to toast the move!
From the back door of the studio, you see the back side of five houses I designed on Green and London Streets.
We proceeded down the street to the Baron’s Pub.
And Jenn’s boyfriend Landon joined us.
Here’s the nearby St. Paul’s Catholic Church that’s near to our hearts.
by shannonchance

Dave Chance Downtown

A photo taken during the property inspection. I can't wait to see more!

A photo taken during the property inspection. I can’t wait to see more!

We closed the deal on the purchase of a new studio for Dave today!

Dave just announced “Coming soon: Dave Chance Downtown” on Facebook, thereby (finally) granting me permission to blab about how proud I am of him.

He’s been hoping for this building for a year, and kindly delayed until I could adapt to the idea of owning another building in Portsmouth. He wanted gallery walls for display and a new sense of separation between home and work. I’m not sure that workaholics like us can really separate from our work to go home — but, hey, if he wants to try it out, more power to him.

For a glimpse of his work, visit www.davechancephotography.com.

by shannonchance

Christmas Fotos

2013 calendar cover

Dave and I put the final touches on our secret Santa project today.

Dave’s weekend was much more exciting than mine… I’ve been chained to my laptop writing all weekend. He went to two fun-looking holiday parties and so did Lucy and Matt.

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Dave spent Friday night at Virginia Beach so he could enjoy the AGC-VA Christmas party.
Saturday night he headed to Norfolk for an event at the very cool Monticello Arcade, home of Work Program Architects.
Lucy and Matt joined his new colleagues for a grown-up party, too.