Love through the Lens

That venerable institution, the Camas Camera Club, will present current work during the month of February at Second Story Gallery, upstairs in the Camas Public Library.  The club was formed in 2011 to provide a forum for local photographers and a place to share creativity.  

Taking advantage of Valentine’s day, the group show is called “Love through the Lens.”  The theme was chosen, according to club founder Kirsten Muskat, because the photographers wanted to “peer behind the curtain of love.

“Realizing that love is a word that has been overused and commercialized, we felt like we needed to explore and deepen our understanding of love in ourselves,”  she said, noting  themes of romantic love, brotherly love, platonic love and love of life.

These interpretations on the theme of love will be unveiled at a First Friday reception for the photographers Feb. 5 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the gallery.  Club members taking part in addition to Muskat are Karen Elliott, Shonda Feather, Tonja Frank, Cheri Jackson, Suzanne Michalik, Laura Mae Miller, Clayton Ravsten, Stephanie Roberts, Cindy Schroeder, Lou Steffey, Tonette Sweet, Les Taylor, Tom West and Tracy Woods.  Some are founding members of the camera club while others joined in the last year.

“Love through the Lens” will continue through Feb. 27 and is available for viewing during regular library hours, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Providing music for the opening reception will be Mary LaFrance on guitar.  This public event is open to all, with refreshments and an opportunity to meet the photographers.  Entrance is at 625 NE 4th Ave, Camas.

First Friday Artist's Reception

February 5   5 - 8 p.m.

Live Music at Photography Opening

Second Story Gallery will feature Mary LaFrance on guitar during the First Friday reception for the Camas Camera Club.  The exhibit features the work of 15 photographers showing their vision of “Love through the Lens.

Mary is a recording artist and songwriter who is working on her third solo album.  She performed last month at Pink the Rink, a Portland Winterhawks' hockey game supporting breast cancer awareness.  And one of Mary’s original compositions was used in a Christmas program in a region in India.  She says she hails from a musical family and has been singing since she was three years old.

The Washougal native will play between 5 and 8 p.m. on Feb. 5, as part of First Friday in downtown Camas.  Second Story Gallery is upstairs in the Camas Public Library.  The photography will be on display through Feb. 27 and is available for viewing during regular library hours.