Photo West Gallery, 3625 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, announces the opening of a new exhibition, Photography Out of the Blue, on March 28, with a reception from 5-8 pm. Featuring the work of 25 photographers, it continues through April 20 with open hours on Saturdays from 12-5 pm.
In response to conceptual artist Randy Dalton’s campaign, DO BLUE, the photographers have selected images with a little blue , a lot of blue, or no blue at all and some that create a feeling of the blues, the disparity between the real and ideal that animates the music of that name. Robert Asman, Ted Adams, Sarah Baltzell, John Carlano, Leonie Christie, Genevieve Courtubis, Randy Dalton, Lydia Hunn, Alice Hyvonen, Jessica Imhoff, Penny Jeannechild, Nancy Lisagor, Jenny Lynn, Martha Madigan, W. Keith McManus, Eric and Kass Mencher, Amie Potsic, Jack Ramsdale, Laurence Salzmann, John Schlesinger, David Slovic, Blaise Tobia, Ana Uribe, and Ken Yanoviak have all contributed work.
A second part of Photography Out of the Blue, an open call, begins April 6, outside the Community Education Center (CEC) at 3500 Lancaster Avenue in Philadelphia. Dalton wants students and the public at large to contribute pictures (inkjet or photographic prints) relating to the blue theme, however they choose to interpret it. All images will be placed in clear waterproof sleeves so they can be mounted outside on a fence on the east side of the CEC property. Images will not returned but should be clearly labeled with the artist’s name and contact information. Photographers in the Photo West show will judge images collected and prizes will be awarded. Judging takes place Saturday, April 19.
Images for Photography Out of the Blue – Open Call should be mailed to the CEC, 3500 Lancaster Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, brought to the Photo West Gallery at the hours listed above or to the Blue Grotto, the headquarters of DO BLUE at the CEC, open hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays- 4:30 to 8:30 pm, Saturdays 12 to 5 pm.
DO BLUE is a multi-year participatory public art campaign to award the Philadelphia region a “blue ribbon” for arts and culture and brand the city as an important arts center. Its goal is to manifest the support for art that exists in the area by asking individuals and organizations that think art is important to use the color blue to show it. Dalton thinks putting blue lights in windows, using blue paint and ink in decorating our environments, wearing blue clothes, and leaving swimming pool lights on all night on holiday weekends will create a festive atmosphere and command attention for Philadelphia art here and in the wider world.
For more information, contact Randy Dalton 215-779-4566 or randydalton@earthlink.net

Blue Roses, originally uploaded by Maureen F..