Photos by Marcia Mueller and Sandy Marvinney
Text by Sandy Marvinney
Text by Sandy Marvinney
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| Marcia Mueller photo |
Rain poured and the wind howled, but neither deterred Garden friends and photography fans on February 15. More than 100 guests attended the opening reception for the juried photo show of garden images and celebration of the Lantern Festival. Guests enjoyed talking with the photographers about how they created their shots. Delightful guzheng music and an extensive buffet of desserts and nibbles enhanced the festivities. A highlight was the raffle — eight ticket winners took home matted photo prints. As the evening drew to a close and the rain stopped, many walked down to lantern-lit Knowing the Spring Courtyard, where they were treated to a magical appearance of the full moon peeking from the cloud breaks.
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| Marcia Mueller photo |
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| Marcia Mueller photo |
Attendees enjoyed Shirley Wang’s guzheng music. She has been playing this ancient instrument since age 6 and studied at the Central Conservatory of Music and the China Conservatory of Music. Shirley was honored as the 2008 National Outstanding Teacher of Guzheng. She now lives in the Seattle area, performing at local events and teaching at the Seattle Guzheng Studio.
The juried show displayed four images from each of ten photographers who participated in the summer 2013 workshop at the Garden led by Ray Pfortner. Aurora Santiago’s photo “Damselfly on Iris Leaf” (lower right), won the People’s Choice Award by vote of attendees at the reception. A photo by Briand Sanderson placed second and one by Sandy Marvinney placed third.
Jim Dawson, vice president of the Seattle Chinese Garden, welcomed attendees and congratulated Ray Pfortner and the photographers for their outstanding work. Jim also served on the jury panel selecting images for the show, as did Ellen Banner (photographer with The Seattle Times), Dan Driscoll, Howard Nanto, and Katie Yuen. Thank you to all!
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2013 Workshop Photographers
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| Marcia Mueller photo |
The juried show displayed four images from each of ten photographers who participated in the summer 2013 workshop at the Garden led by Ray Pfortner. Aurora Santiago’s photo “Damselfly on Iris Leaf” (lower right), won the People’s Choice Award by vote of attendees at the reception. A photo by Briand Sanderson placed second and one by Sandy Marvinney placed third.
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| Sandy Marvinney photo |
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| Marcia Mueller photo |
Ray Pfortner spent many hours planning and hanging the juried show. Based on Vashon Island, Ray is an educator and professional photographer whose work focuses on nature, landscapes, environmental issues, and gardens. He has a special interest in coaching new talent and teaches an annual workshop at the Chinese Garden.
Oohs and aahs wafted throughout Knowing the Spring Courtyard as visitors stepped inside to see the lantern-lit gate. As if by magic, a brilliant full moon drifted in and out of cloud breaks, casting its light over the Garden.
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| Sandy Marvinney photo |
2013 Workshop Photographers
M. Teresa S. Brown
James Campbell
Leslie Keck
Sandy Marvinney
Robert Meyer
Marcia Mueller
Briand Sanderson
Aurora Santiago
Dewey Webster
Marcia Wesley
The photo show in the Chan Center will be open on selected dates through summer 2014. Watch for information on the Garden’s website and in the e-newsletter.
