Photography by Charles T. Dana will be featured during the Art Association of Jacksonville’s January exhibit at the David Strawn Art Gallery.
An exhibit opening will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the gallery, 331 W. College Ave., with Dana giving an artist’s talk at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the reception and the gallery is free.
Dana, of Fenton, Missouri, says he learned about photography by studying the works of other artists, especially 19th century French Impressionists who focused more on the spirit of their subject matter than its reality.
“I continue to be amazed by(the Impressionists’) usage of color and the simplicity of form that captured not the outward appearance but actually defined the souls of their subjects,” Dana said in an artist’s statement. “I strive to follow in their footsteps and to extend their vision with my images.”
While he has been interested in photography for more than 50 years, it didn’t become Dana’s primary focus until after he retired a decade ago from the St. Louis Police Department.
He once focused predominantly on black-and-white photography, but Dana now has embraced digital photography and his recent work is known for its color and focus on spirit as he tries to capture the inner nature of his subject matter.
“My prints are rife with color as I seek out the essence of my subjects,” he said. “I utilize various fine art papers and currently varnish and frame without glass to enhance the impact of my prints.”
The exhibit will be displayed through Jan. 30. Gallery hours are from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday and from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.