Masterworks Foundation staffer Carrie Zenti's fascination with polaroid transfer photography is the focus of her solo exhibition which opens this evening in the Rick Faries Gallery of the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, and continues through November 19.

The opening reception is from 5.30 to 7 p.m., and admission is free.

Ms Zenti's exhibition is a tribute to the end of an era for Polaroid instant film. Polaroid instant cameras were first introduced in 1947, and sales boomed in the 1970s. However, due to lack of demand, the production of Polaroid instant film ceases at the end of this year. In fact, most Polaroid instant films have already been discontinued.

Nonetheless, there is currently a very small community of artists worldwide who are still creatively using the last bit of instant film still available.

"Over the last ten years, I have been exclusively working with Polaroid 669 and 809 sheet film, creating original Polaroid transfers," Ms Zenti says.

"Each photograph is first shot with a standard 35 mm camera onto slide film. Then, with the use of a Vivitar slide printer, I am able to convert the images onto Polaroid film. This unusual printing process allows the emulsion to develop directly onto Polaroid film. Archival prints have been made locally by Colourlab."

Defining what the collection of images means to her, Ms Zenti says: "It represents a glimpse of my own appreciation of nostalgia and beauty. Many are sweet reminders of loved ones or treasured antique mementos. Other images are from travels near and far, including those captured in New Mexico, Colorado, Bermuda and remote Easter Island, Chile."

Tracing her career path, Ms Zenti says she has followed "a stepping-stone of creative career interests", which has allowed her "to work collaboratively with various artists, architects and designers in retail galleries and museums".

"My artwork has been exhibited in Colorado, Michigan and Bermuda. I am currently part of the creative staff of individuals at Masterworks. As the Foundation's current education coordinator, most of my time is spent working with students of all ages, mostly youth, in art workshops and community events.

"It is a joy to work in a creative environment with such inspiring artwork, beautiful surroundings in the Botanical Gardens, and most especially the interaction with the arts community, both local and global."

Born in 1969 in Escanaba, Michigan, Ms Zenti holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in interior design from Michigan State University, a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and K-12 Art Education Certification from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She makes her home in Bermuda with husband, Dyrone Minors.