A: Is for Art that Snaps!

Photography is the rage this week with two openings of photographer who I not only admire as artist but also as friends. The multi talented Sherri Mills opens tomorrow at the Manhattan Borough President's Office Gallery at 1 Centre Street, South Tower, 19th floor from 6-8. Her work A Closer NY is a close-up of the urban landscape we call NY. You may recognize her insightful imaging from NY Arts Magazine, as well as Metro Media Technologies for her representation of their outdoor works. To see a glimpse into Sherrie's world log onto sherriemills.com

Roger Hagadone has owed me a headshot for 3 years. I guess waiting has it's benefits as he is having a show this Friday at the hot new club, Touch. This exclusive and edgy photographer is being showcased right in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Join him for an evening of photography and complimentary cocktails from 10-11 with free admission from 10 -12! Doors open at 10:00 so celebrate this fabulous milestone with Roger and if you need headshots or amazing campaigns log onto www.rogerhagadone.com to see what is in store.

In Newark Rachel Ridgely still has two years ahead of her at Columbus College of Art and Design, is an up-and-coming photographer to be watched. Already exhibiting in New Yorks at the Affordable Art Fair at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Her workt "Classroom," was sold. A self-taught photographer and 2006 graduate of Newark Catholic, Ridgely said the New York show grew out of her affiliation with the emerging artist Web site www.ugallery.com. "I joined it not thinking anything would come of it, but it was free." After one of her works sold to a buyer in California, the site owner called and asked her permission to take two of her photographs to the New York fair, which attracts more than 70 galleries from all around the world. Now back home in Ohio, Ridgely has two pieces -- a photo book and a print -- on display as part of the Licking County Arts Juried Art Show at LeFevre Hall on the Newark campus of Ohio State University and Central Ohio Technical College. Her homemade book, "Past and Future," took second place for photography. Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart, LCA gallery curator. "She has the observation skills of an old soul. She sees things many people would overlook completely and she takes it to the next step." Ridgely's work, indeed, has the appearance of age, even though she works with a Nikon digital camera. She captures images of landscapes and abandoned buildings and layers them with textures derived from photos of rust, grimy windows or weathered wood. "I like looking at all the aged pictures, so I try to replicate that with mine," she said. "I just like the history to them. They tell a story."
"Past and Future" was created from a photo album Ridgely bought at an antique store. Some tea-colored images still occupied the pages. Ridgely added her own to complement them. Her originals -- of historic buildings, old farms and misty landscapes -- have a stillness and loneliness. Taking her art and contributing to humanity Rachel volunteers for Stop the Suffering, an animal rescue organization, by taking pet portraits. Whether photographing pets or people, however, she keeps one thing in mind: Stay true to her fine art focus."I don't like forced posing. No fake backgrounds," she said. "I keep it an art form."

Art should give back and this is one artist who has done just that and that is a F.A.C.T.