Press: The Westfield Leader, June 17, 2004
Originally published in The Westfield Leader, Thursday, June 17, 2004, page 20
JUXTAPOSE GALLERY WILL HOST PHOTOGRAPHER'S EXHIBITION
Before Vanishing, Summer Treasures Are Immortalized by Sandy Anton
By MICHELLE HELEN Le POIDEVIN
Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times
WESTFIELD - "Summer House Memories," the creme de la creme of seven year Long Beach Island resident Sandy Anton's portfolio, will be displayed at Juxtapose Gallery in Westfield from Thursday, June 24 to Thursday, July 8.
Juxtapose Proprietor Gerri Gildea will host an opening reception on June 24 from 6 to 9 p.m.
"The exhibition consists mostly of places I love," said Anton, who desires to capture as much of South Jersey's beauty because she believes it is rapidly becoming extinct.
"The subject matter is ephemeral, and photography is how I document a way of life that is disappearing. So many people and families have fond memories of the shore. That is all changing and has become homogenized." Anton cited Wildwood as a shore area that has changed over time.
Anton, who works entirely in digital photography and rarely manipulates her images, except to crop them, also focuses her lens on Provincetown, Mass. and Nova Scotia, always adhering to shore-related themes.
Judging by Anton's photography collection – which captures everything from fishing poles at Barnegat Light to boatyards and larger-than-life tea pots and cups – it seems implausible that, although she always collected photography, she only "picked up a camera" as a professional almost a year ago.
For example, a tourist's instant camera might capture the same boat at Harvey Cedars, but Anton's ability to "isolate the subject matter" produces a truly clean, linear style in composition, which an amateur shutterbug can only esteem, not duplicate.
In fact, admirers of Anton's work know better than to expect standard shore photos of lighthouses because she insists on challenging herself creatively.
"The subjects I pick, as well as how I compose the shots are very unique to me," she said, When she receives feedback, admirers admit to her, "I never looked at it from that angle." Anton's self-education as a photographer is continuously budding and evolving.
While she "never shoots in the afternoon," she was pleasantly surprised during an afternoon visit to Herring Cove in Provincetown, when she shot one of her best photographs.
"I have been returning to that beach for over 30 years and it never changes; that's why I love it," she said. "The photo was a magical moment for me when I captured that crack in the pavement, and when I captured the shadows of the Pergola on the pavement in (the photograph) "Herring Cove Pavillion."
During her interview with The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains- Fanwood Times, Anton related a story about a trip to Allen's Clam Bar in New Gretna when another clever photograph was born. Anton simply set her camera down on a nearby table inside the restaurant when the camera went off and froze a unique composition of everyday items and life at the clam bar.
Anton told The Leader/Times that her photography has been influenced by the "keen visual sense" of an architect and friend who had been working on her house before he passed away in March.
Shortly thereafter, Anton attended Harvard University, where she took a six-week intensive landscape architecture track offered through a course, "Career Discovery." Surrounded by classmates in their late 20s, the 53-yearold Anton learned to explore different career opportunities.
Anton, who retired from a career in web implementation systems, said, "It's a very visual field, matching form and function. I spent 25 years inside (at work) and I am going to spend the next 25 years outside" shooting landscapes.
When asked whether she would include portrait photography in her portfolio, she said that she keeps her future options open but prefers landscape photography.
"I'm going to stick to fine art for now, because that's what pleases me," she said.
Anton's photographs have also been exhibited at Expressions Gallery in Chester, North End Trilogy Gallery and the Inman Realty office in Barnegat Light, Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce in Ship Bottom.
While most photographers work a lifetime to establish a solid enough reputation to earn a spot in a New York City exhibition, Anton was asked to show her work in a group exhibition at the Photo District Gallery in New York City in 2003 entitled, "Visions of Light."
Anton is also the official photographer for the Chamber of Commerce of Southern Ocean County. She is the official photographer for their new website, which is currently under development and will be launched later this year.
Also the president of her own design firm, North Island Design, she has been working for the local television station, LBITV.
Anton especially credits specific Westfield merchants for providing professional and moral support.
William Hauser, the owner of Snapshots of Westfield on East Broad Street, which she calls "a real photography store," printed almost every photograph with extreme care and consideration, said Anton.
Hauser supplied coaching and guidance to Anton as a professional and a friend, she said.
Gildea has also been instrumental in aiding Anton, who has purchased art from Gildea's 30-year-old store for the last 11 years. Two months ago, when Anton discussed her photography with Gildea, she received an offer from the merchant to mount and host an exclusive exhibition and reception.
"She absolutely has great taste. This is a fantastic opportunity. She is taking a chance on me and a chance on photography and I couldn't be more grateful to her," said Anton. She also credited Gildea's astute and loyal clientele.
One-hundred percent support has also been provided to Anton by her partner, Barbara Peda, who is also proud of Anton's artistry, especially when it came time to decide upon post-retirement plans.
"It's very important to have someone behind you," said Anton, adding that the encouragement of Gildea and Hauser has helped her preserve uniquely the beauty landscapes, which someday might otherwise be a faded memory.