Exhibits in the time of COVID

I enjoy participating in photo exhibits where I get a chance to share some of my images with family, friends and others. These might be group exhibits where I join other photographers to show photos of our choice. Some group exhibits may require photographs of a certain topic and there could be a judge who decides which of the submitted images will be exhibited. And, of course, there are also solo exhibits where one person chooses and displays enough photographs to fill the allotted gallery space.

Since the onset of COVID-19, however, the opportunity to show and share photographs has been limited. Though some exhibits have been held with strict mask requirements, others have been virtual, where the images are only shown online. Online exhibits are easier and cheaper because the photographers don’t have to make and mount prints. They’re also nice because friends and relatives who don’t live close enough to view the exhibit in person can still see the photographs. But, the ability to meet and talk to people about your photography, something that I find very enjoyable, is missing.

Some recent group exhibits have taken place in real galleries but viewing was restricted. Exhibits hanging in the University of Wisconsin Hospital, for example, were only open to COVID-tested patients arriving for appointments. Those patients could be accompanied by one other person, but the general public was not allowed to enter.

Since I participated in exhibits like these over the past year, I thought it might be nice to show a few of my submitted photos. Seven exhibits, five from the past year and two upcoming ones, are listed below. You’re welcome to view them from the comfort of your chair without having to take another COVID test.

(Photo names can be seen by mousing over the images.)

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Wisconsin Regional Art Program – March 2021

Members of the Association of Wisconsin Artists were invited to submit one or two works of art of their choice. This was not limited to photography; the majority of entries were water colors and oil paintings. The exhibit was held at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison. Attendees were required to wear masks. The art from this exhibit can be seen on the WRAP Madison-2021 Web Page

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Washington Island Observer Photo Contest – August 2021

(This wasn’t really an exhibit, but it was a contest from my favorite Island, so it’s worth sharing.)

Washington Island Observer subscribers were asked to submit photographs taken on Washington, Plum, Detroit or Rock islands or on Lake Michigan near these islands between July 1, 2020 and August 1, 2021. The categories were People, Wildlife and Landscapes. First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention winners were printed in the Island Observer and shown on the newspaper web site.

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Wisconsin Regional Art Program – October 2021

Members of the Association of Wisconsin Artists were invited to submit one or two works of art of their choice. This was not limited to photography; the majority of entries were water colors and oil paintings. The exhibit was held at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. This exhibit was not open to the public.

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PhotoMidwest Featured Photographer – January & February 2022

PhotoMidwest photographers, either alone or in groups, can sign up to exhibit photos of their choice for two-months. Since COVID, these exhibits have only been shown online. I recently had an exhibit called “Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let is Snow!” A few of those photos are shown below. The entire exhibit can be viewed at https://www.photomidwest.org/michael-r-anderson.

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Wisconsin’s Garden & Landscape Expo – February 2022

The Wisconsin Garden & Landscape Expo invited amateur photographers to submit photos of plants in the categories Novice Eye (Ages 7-15), Macro, Landscape, Plants and Flowers, Abstract, and Phone/Tablet. The entries were judged, and selected photos were exhibited at the Garden and Landscape Expo in the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center. Masked visitors attending the Expo could view the exhibit.

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Wisconsin Regional Art Program – March 2022

Association of Wisconsin Artists Members were invited to submit one or two pieces of art of their choice. This was not limited to photography; the majority of entries were water colors and oil paintings. The exhibit will be held February 26 – April 2 at the Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison.

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PhotoMidwest Annual Spring Member Exhibit – March 2022

PhotoMidwest Members were invited to submit one photograph of their choice. The exhibit will be held March 4 – April 2 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison. This exhibit is not open to the public.

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Obviously, I can’t meet and talk to people on this website like I could at an in-person gallery exhibit. But, thanks for taking your time to view this post and I hope you have time to see other photos and read other stories here. And, remember, you’re always welcome to leave comments!

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Of course you can guess which is my favorite photo Mike. Was that taken in fall, 2021? I look forward to returning to the northwoods.

    Jan

    1. Yes, it was taken on 10/1/21 during a morning boat ride through the channel.

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