MECC Faculty and Staff Show "The Way We See It"

Art Professor Alice Harrington's shot of a doorway in Rome is just one of the many photographs displayed by MECC faculty and staff in "The Way We See It", an exhibit featured in the Slemp Gallery on campus until March 31.

Art professor Alice Harrington's idea for the latest show on display in the Slemp Gallery at Mountain Empire Community College came to her after realizing that a number of faculty and staff at the college shared her interest in photography.  In fact, most of the contributors to the exhibit, "The Way We See It", have shown their work in solo shows at MECC before.  Now, visitors to the gallery have a chance to see a sampling of each photography-enthusiast's art in a compilation show, featuring photos taken by MECC employees Harrington, Accounting Professor Jim Bates, Associate Physics/Mathematics Professor Bill Harris, Trades Manager Gary Nickles, Assistant English Professor Tami Penley, Security Officer Braccle Sloce, and Graphic Designer Neka Wilson.

Some of the photographs on display in the show were taken while traveling, as is the case for Harrington's pictures from trips to Italy and New Mexico and images Bates photographed while visiting Key West, Florida.  Objects found in nature and natural scenery in general are also common themes among the photographers, exemplified in exhibit contributions from Harris, Penley, and Sloce.  In addition to contributing their own shots of nature to the show, Nickles and Wilson added a few photos they captured of people.

Nickles attributes his quest to find just the right picture to the photography classes he took under Harris, who along with Wilson teaches courses about the subject at MECC.  "I became interested in photography after buying my first Harley in the early '70s," states Nickles.  "I wanted to document all my adventures in black and white.  Then in 1982, I began taking photography classes taught by Bill Harris.  I think it was Bill's passion for the art that really got me interested.  Now, 24 years later I'm still trying to find the 'perfect picture'."

Penley offers encouragement to other individuals thinking of picking up the hobby.  "Art doesn't have to wait until we are educated or wealthy or ready," she says.  "Sometimes, we just need the courage to pick up what we have and get on with it.  That's how I see it."

"The Way We See It" will be on display at MECC until March 31. The Slemp Gallery is located in the Wampler Library of Robb Hall. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Assistant English Professor Tami Penley contributed some of the nature photography featured in "The Way We See It", an exhibit of photographs taken by MECC faculty and staff members.  The show is on display until March 31 in the Slemp Gallery on campus.

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