Photography – “the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface (as film or an optical sensor),” is a broad field as defined by the Miriam Webster Dictionary

Two new shows open at Summit Artspace on July 14 exploring how photographers visualize the medium from traditional to experimental and from representational to abstract in subject as well as technique.

PHOTOGRAPHY NOW – THE ART OF SEEING juried exhibition will include regional photographic artists who work with film and use traditional darkroom techniques, those whose images are recorded digitally and processed on a computer, and those who push the boundaries of the medium in new directions.

The second show in the side gallery, IN AN INSTANT, provides photographers with a unique opportunity to share their work in the resurging medium of instant photography. The exhibit is curated by Akron photographer Don Parsisson. The shows, which share gallery space, run until Aug. 19.

Photographers from the two shows will meet with visitors at the Summit Artspace gallery for a free reception on July 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. Awards for THE ART OF SEEING will be announced at 7 p.m. Summit Artspace on East Market is located at 140 E. Market St., Akron.

With 26 works in the main show, the pieces will include images presented on paper, transparency, through projection or in some other format. What will unify this exhibition is that each selected work will represent the intersection of personal creativity and engagement with some form of photographic technology in order to explore the art of seeing at this moment in time, whether the gaze is turned outward or inward.

Arnie Tunstall, director of University Galleries at the Myers School of Art of The University of Akron, is the judge. He is an adjunct instructor at the Myers School of Art since 1995 and is currently teaching in the Arts Administration program at the university. He also served in curatorial and collections posts at the Akron Art Museum.

The exhibiting artists from both shows will participate in a panel discussion about their work on Thursday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m., in the gallery. Seating is limited. The event is free and open to the public. Please register here by Aug. 10: ow.ly/AtwI30czAxr.

Alongside traditional film photography, instant photography is enjoying a renewed and growing popularity in recent years. New instant films and cameras are available to a new generation of photographers as well as those who fell in love with the original instant photography of Polaroid.

Nine photographers have submitted the petite iconic images for the engaging show in the main gallery’s side room.

“The images in IN AN INSTANT, some straight forward and some highly manipulated, make use of a wide variety of both vintage and modern cameras and films,” said Parsisson, who exhibits photographic works at Summit Artspace in his gallery, Fōtō, a tiny gallery of photography.

Gallery hours are Thursdays and Fridays, noon to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. The show is free and open to the public.

Open hours also include Artwalk on Saturday, August 5, when the galleries will be open from noon to 9 p.m. Artwalk, a continuation of the free popular downtown event every first Saturday of the month, will feature art talks by resident studio artists, pop-up shops and music at Summit Artspace from 5 to 9 p.m. In addition, Summit Artspace on East Market will participate in the new downtown event, 3^rd THURSDAY, July 20 and Aug. 17, 5 to 9 p.m.

For information about Summit Artspace, go to summitartspace.org or call 330-376-8480. Find Summit Artspace on Facebook, on Twitter @AkronAreaArts, Instagram and Snapchat.

Parking is available behind the Summit Artspace building and in a lot between South Summit Street and Broadway when visiting the gallery. Summit Artspace is handicap accessible and has an elevator. For information about Summit Artspace, go to summitartspace.org or call 330-376-8480. Find Summit Artspace on Facebook, on Twitter @AkronAreaArts, Instagram and Snapchat.

Parking behind the building
Handicap accessible