Local photographers capture the spirit of India in photos
Exotic images of a country half a world away filled the Wayne Center for the Arts’ Looney and Gault Galleries Nov. 10 for the opening reception of the Images of India and Sister City – Wooster Nagar exhibits.
The exhibits feature the photographic talents of four members of the Wooster community who traveled extensively throughout South Asia last winter.
More than 60 images captured by Peg and Grant Cornwell, Richard Seaman and Stephen Shapiro during their trip showcase the rich culture of India.
According to Rob Hyde, Wayne Center for the Arts executive director, the Images of India exhibit “highlights the diverse nature of this country of 1.2 billion people, capturing scenes of everyday life, landscapes, cityscapes, animals and the extraordinary, such as the Taj Mahal.”
By contrast the Sister City – Wooster Nagar exhibit “features photos by Seaman and Shapiro of the small fishing village near India’s southeastern tip which was devastated by a tsunami on 2004,” Hyde noted.
“A local group led by (Bala) Venkataraman and his daughter, Bina, raised funds to rebuild the village of 26 families, which took on the name of Wooster Nagar, or Little Wooster. The group received a warm welcome and an extensive tour of the new village, which is reflected in the photos,” said Hyde.
The images included in the exhibits were captured by the four photographers during a January 2011 trip lead by Bala Venkataraman, who grew up not far from the Indian village devastated by the tsunami. Also making the trip were Dave and Gayle Noble, Doug Drushal, Richard Seaman’s wife, Judy, and Stephen Shapiro’s wife, Cheryl.
“India is a country of very diverse people—and culture—that presents an absolute wonderland for a photographer. Our Indian exhibit captures only a very small part of that diversity,” said Stephen Shapiro.
Richard Seaman also came away from the trip with a deep appreciation for the diversity of the country.
“India is a kaleidoscope of multi-cultures and micro-economies thriving in a state of chaos,” said Seaman.
While Seaman and Shapiro focused their lenses on Wooster’s Indian sister city, Peg Cornwell and her husband, Grant, who serves as president of The College of Wooster, made the trip to South Asia “to strengthen connections with The College of Wooster alumni, parents and friends.”
The group was “fortunate to have local people guide us to sights not always seen, including the Kolkata flower market at dawn, a private boys school and the Agra fort,” said Peg Cornwell.
“These pictures evoke memories of a complicated and colorful land and its people who received our visit warmly and with great enthusiasm,” she added.
During the opening reception celebrating the new exhibits, members of the community had the opportunity to meet the four photographers and hear the touching stories of their encounters with the warm people of India. Visitors were also able to sample a selection of authentic Indian food.
The Images of India and Sister City – Wooster Nagar exhibits are open through Dec. 10.
Admission to the Wayne Center for the Arts is free but donations are welcome.
The arts center is open Monday, from noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The arts center is closed on Sundays.
For more information on the Images of India and Sister City – Wooster Nagar exhibits or any of the other programs offered by the Wayne Center for the Arts, log on to http://www.wayneartscenter.org.
The exhibits feature the photographic talents of four members of the Wooster community who traveled extensively throughout South Asia last winter.
More than 60 images captured by Peg and Grant Cornwell, Richard Seaman and Stephen Shapiro during their trip showcase the rich culture of India.
According to Rob Hyde, Wayne Center for the Arts executive director, the Images of India exhibit “highlights the diverse nature of this country of 1.2 billion people, capturing scenes of everyday life, landscapes, cityscapes, animals and the extraordinary, such as the Taj Mahal.”
By contrast the Sister City – Wooster Nagar exhibit “features photos by Seaman and Shapiro of the small fishing village near India’s southeastern tip which was devastated by a tsunami on 2004,” Hyde noted.
“A local group led by (Bala) Venkataraman and his daughter, Bina, raised funds to rebuild the village of 26 families, which took on the name of Wooster Nagar, or Little Wooster. The group received a warm welcome and an extensive tour of the new village, which is reflected in the photos,” said Hyde.
The images included in the exhibits were captured by the four photographers during a January 2011 trip lead by Bala Venkataraman, who grew up not far from the Indian village devastated by the tsunami. Also making the trip were Dave and Gayle Noble, Doug Drushal, Richard Seaman’s wife, Judy, and Stephen Shapiro’s wife, Cheryl.
“India is a country of very diverse people—and culture—that presents an absolute wonderland for a photographer. Our Indian exhibit captures only a very small part of that diversity,” said Stephen Shapiro.
Richard Seaman also came away from the trip with a deep appreciation for the diversity of the country.
“India is a kaleidoscope of multi-cultures and micro-economies thriving in a state of chaos,” said Seaman.
While Seaman and Shapiro focused their lenses on Wooster’s Indian sister city, Peg Cornwell and her husband, Grant, who serves as president of The College of Wooster, made the trip to South Asia “to strengthen connections with The College of Wooster alumni, parents and friends.”
The group was “fortunate to have local people guide us to sights not always seen, including the Kolkata flower market at dawn, a private boys school and the Agra fort,” said Peg Cornwell.
“These pictures evoke memories of a complicated and colorful land and its people who received our visit warmly and with great enthusiasm,” she added.
During the opening reception celebrating the new exhibits, members of the community had the opportunity to meet the four photographers and hear the touching stories of their encounters with the warm people of India. Visitors were also able to sample a selection of authentic Indian food.
The Images of India and Sister City – Wooster Nagar exhibits are open through Dec. 10.
Admission to the Wayne Center for the Arts is free but donations are welcome.
The arts center is open Monday, from noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The arts center is closed on Sundays.
For more information on the Images of India and Sister City – Wooster Nagar exhibits or any of the other programs offered by the Wayne Center for the Arts, log on to http://www.wayneartscenter.org.
Published: November 16, 2011
