Photo of Trees by Linda Ward
December 10, 2021 – MARIPOSA – The Mariposa County Arts Council invites the public to Silver Linings: Photographing Personal Peace During the Pandemic, an exhibition featuring work from participants of the 2021 F/STOP Photography program. Silver Linings will open for viewing on Monday, December 13, 2021, in the front room of the Mariposa Museum and History Center (5119 Jessie St, Mariposa, CA 95338), and will close Thursday, January 13, 2022.
F/STOP - a photography program aimed at Mariposa residents 55 years of age and older - consists of a series of free, multi-week digital photography workshops focused on the artistic elements of photography and is designed to promote creativity, self-expression, and increase comfort with digital technology. This year, participants were prompted to reflect on their time at home during the COVID-19 lockdown and photograph what brought them comfort.
The severity of the pandemic exacerbated many challenges older individuals face, including detachment, loss, and isolation. Silver Linings takes a personal look at the photographers’ experiences, offers humble appreciation for their fortitude during the many difficulties over the past two years, and recognizes the objects, people, animals, activities, and spaces that provided them solace and peace. Participant Linda Ward photographed a shaded riverbank in Yosemite, stating, “Very few things beyond family and friends have brought me comfort during the months that I viewed most of life from the confines of my home. For me, the vast expanse of the outdoors, the beauty of nature, the dazzling sky, the golden glow of the afternoon sun, and the healing sight and sound of water-standing, flowing, crashing, reflecting-all have given me the ability to take a deep breath and feel at peace.”
More about the F/STOP program can be found at www.mariposaartscouncil.org/fstop.
The Arts Council would like to specially thank staff at the museum for generously hosting F/STOP workshops in their courtyard this spring, providing a safe and welcoming outdoor space for participants to discuss and share their work; and for hosting this exhibition indoors this winter for all visitors.
Support for this program comes from the County of Mariposa, the California Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and by our loyal members.
To become a Member and support arts programming like F/STOP in Mariposa, visit www.mariposaartscouncil.org/join today.
The Arts Council is an incorporated not-for-profit organization, created to promote and support all forms of the cultural arts, for all ages, throughout Mariposa County and is supported in part by the County of Mariposa, the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the California Arts Council, a state agency.
Flyer photo credit: Terry Johnson
Source: Mariposa County Arts Council
