STCC’s Carberry Gallery features Leverett photographer James Gehrt

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery at Springfield Technical Community College presents “A Simple Circle,” a unique photography exhibit on view through April 12, 2024.

The exhibit juxtaposes historical and vintage Kodak cameras and original photographs from the late 1880s-1890s with contemporary images created by photographer and educator James Gehrt of Leverett, MA. Gehrt is an artist and educator with over 30 years of experience creating images and studying photography. He has lectured on photography at a variety of institutions including, Mount Holyoke College, Simmons University, and the Holyoke Public Library.

In 2022, Gehrt published a collection in the form of four quarterly reviews of his photographic work called “From Where I’m Standing…”

In 1888, George Eastman invented a small wooden box camera and called it Kodak No. 1. This historic invention marked the beginning of the democratization of image-making by allowing anyone to capture 100 simple round photographs without understanding intricate photochemistry or the need to visit a professional photography studio as was the case since the birth of photography in 1839.

Gehrt said, “I love the clean simple circular compositions of these early snapshots. Round photographs encompassing pets, sailboats and excursions of all types from the late 1800s have inspired my vision for a modern-day revisit of the simple circular image.” 

Four events are planned during this exhibition, including a Carberry Conversations Zoom interview, which was held March 20; two in-person one-hour gallery talks with Gehrt on Thursday, March 28 at noon and Wednesday, April 3, at 11 a.m.; and a reception for the photographer on Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The gallery and all events are free and open to the public.

Dr. Emilie Clucas Leaderman, Interim Dean of LAPS (Liberal and Professional Studies), encourages students and the Springfield community to visit the exhibit.

“We are excited to bring this photography exhibit to the gallery and feature a Western Massachusetts photographer,” Leaderman said. “We hope our students and other visitors will stop by the gallery and enjoy these images and reflect on the history of photography.”

To view the “Carberry Conversations” series, visit stcc.io/conversations.

Carberry Conversations is a series of virtual talks throughout the academic year between Peron and exhibiting artists and photographers whose work is on view at the Amy H. Carberry Fine Arts Gallery. First conceived in response to the pandemic, these Zoom conversations continue to function as a space to connect working artists and photographers with a large audience base that extends beyond our geographical area.

This exhibition and associated events for James Gehrt are supported in part by the School of Liberal and Professional Studies (LAPS), the Fine Arts (A.A.) program, and a grant from the Springfield Cultural Council, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

For more information about STCC’s Fine Arts program, visit stcc.edu/explore/programs/fine.aa

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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