by Liz Daube
Staff Writer
The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens teamed up with St. Johns Riverkeeper Neil Armingeon to introduce a new community photography show at Thursday’s Cummer Cafe Night.
Local photographers and art fans crowded the wall of more than 60 photographs of the St. Johns River. Both professional and amateur photographers contributed digital, film and Polaroid shots to the juried exhibition, called “The St. Johns River: Captured Through the Lens.” The project was inspired by the Cummer’s Ansel Adams and Edwin Land exhibition.
“Ansel’s photographs captured the American landscape,” said Maarten van de Guchte, museum director. “What Ansel was able to do is be in the right place in the right time. They (these photos of the St. Johns River) all have one thing in common. They show originality. Somebody took the time to really look and make that moment special.”
He added that the project was an opportunity to celebrate – and possibly help preserve – the St. Johns River.
“The river is our community’s greatest resource,” said Armingeon. “There is something in the river that touches something in all of us. These photos capture not only what the river appears like, but the soul of the river.”
The photographs will be on display through June 4.