07/15/2010-08/15/2010
Local photographers Jeannette Hunt, Doug Schwab, John Shuman and Ginger Squires are teaming-up to present an exhibition of photography in the Saville Gallery entitled A Walk On The Wild Side from July 15 through August 15, 2010. Expect a non-traditional exhibit, with no limits on size or format and more than a few surprises! A special Opening Reception, featuring a collection of live animals from the Tri-State Zoological Park, will be held on Saturday, July 17, from 5-8PM, in conjunction with the Arts Walk in Downtown Cumberland. For questions, please call the Allegany Arts Council at 301-777-ARTS (2787).

Jeannette Hunt graduated with honors from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 2000. She enjoys traveling throughout the U.S. to photograph certain species, like the Great Blue Heron in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and Bull Moose in Maine. “Every time I come across an animal to photograph is a treat. I've found that animals in general often tend to be as curious about me as I am about them. It is truly an amazing and rare feeling of joy when an animal pays absolutely no attention to me as I photograph it.” Jeannette’s most interesting (and obviously dangerous!) experience was when she went to the Machias Seal Island off the coast of Maine to photograph Puffins. “In order to get to the island we had to jump from the main boat to the row boat amidst 5 foot swells, then from the row boat onto a wet pier. When I made it to the blind, my stomach was in knots and my knees were shaking. The two hour stay on land was cut back to about half an hour because the weather was turning worse. It was exhilarating to see the Puffin in their natural environment and especially awesome to hear each of them land on the roof of the blind. I was amazed at the sheer number of birds. We had an equally horrific time returning. The captain later admitted that, had he known it would be so bad, we would not have gone.”

“I have a love affair with wild animals in captivity,” admits Ginger Squires, who “walks on the wild side” every day that she volunteers and photographs the wild animals at the Tri-State Zoological Park. Ginger plans to share images of the Siberian Tiger, African Lion, Python, Japanese Macaque and White Bengal Tiger, plus a few more. “I especially enjoy observing the personality differences and learning from spending time with each one.” “Although it’s hard for me to choose, my most memorable moment was being present at the birth of Siberian tigers. Following that was having my pants pulled down by 2 tiger cubs while trying to shoot in front of a dozen people. I don't know which was worse, the embarrassment or the bruising to my thigh in the process. I also treasure the times I'm near "Bu", the lion, when he roars. It seems to vibrate me to the core. Every picture is an experiment and never has a predictable outcome.”

John Shuman remembers his first camera as “that little Brownie.” Later, with his new bride, Amy, Lieutenant Shuman traveled to Vicenza, Italy, in 1971, where he purchased a Nikon and enjoyed the wonder of the canals of Venice, operas in the Verona arena, including Aida complete with live elephants, street vendors in Florence, St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome etc. On a special mission to what was then Belgrade, Yugoslavia, he and Amy stopped by Lippica, to enjoy the Lippinzaner stallions and mares. Animals photographed in their natural wild habitat on The Shuman Life Center property that he and Amy tend will be featured in this exhibit. Each deer, fox, squirrel or bird of prey appear when they are ready to sit for a portrait. “I always ask permission to take their picture. It’s really amazing, they seem to pause and, intuitively, give me the OK to step closer and closer, posing perfectly long enough for me to capture their beauty. They want to be recognized and thanked for their role in protecting Mother Earth.” John also enjoys zeroing in on a particular detail of a photograph and enlarging that facet, to highlight the insect, butterfly or animal to a ‘bigger than life’ status.

Doug Schwab first picked up a camera, a Kodak Brownie Starmite in the early 1960's, shooting 127 film in “good old black and white.” I really enjoy taking pictures of animals...everywhere from the Whitetails in my back yard to Butterflies in Key West to African Elephants and Lions in the jungles of our family’s vacation sites. “I always like the great feeling of getting the shot that is just right. Using digital allows me to take a lot of pictures. My theory is that the more you shoot, the closer you get to a really great one.” Doug jokingly admits, “In my photographing animals, I especially enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I love to stalk them and get in for the ‘kill..ing’ picture.” Doug’s scariest event occurred in Africa when an Elephant started charging their LandCruiser (please note his photo that is featured above).