Polaroid show opening tonight at Masterworks

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, entitled 'The Last Polaroid Picture Show', 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. of 2008. 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 decade Ms Zenti has been working exclusively with Polaroid 669 and 809 sheet film, creating original Polaroid transfers. Each photograph is first shot with a standard 35 mm camera onto slide film. Then, with the use of a Vivitar slide printer, she is 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 her 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".

Her artwork has been exhibited in Colorado, Michigan and Bermuda. She is 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.

Surrealism lecture at BNG this evening

'Image and Sense: Connections in surrealism — Alfred Hitchcock and Salvador Dali informing the photography of Bill Brandt' is the title of Bermuda College professor Dr. Sajni Tolaram's 6.30 p.m. lecture at the Bermuda National Gallery this evening. It will be preceded by a reception at 6 p.m. General admission, $20; BNG members, $10.

Kaleidoscope offers scrapbooking instruction

If creating a 'book' from scraps of personal souvenirs or memorabilia is something you have always wanted to learn, reserve November 1 and 2 for instruction at the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation's Devonshire headquarters. There, participants will learn how to create a visual journey which incorporates creative writing, illustration, design, layout and image-making techniques.

Guidance will be given on suitable themes in order to produce a final work which is both visually pleasing and a 'working' volume. Participants will be required to bring their own collections of 'scraps' to use as a basis for their books. Instruction both days is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the cost ($190 for Kaleidoscope members, $210 for non-members) also includes lunch and snacks. For further information telephone 236-5963 or e-mail education@kaf.bm

Weekend adult life drawing class at BNG

Well-known artist and instructor Emma Ingham-Dounouk will conduct the class, 'Life Drawing: a focus on the Body' at the Bermuda National Gallery on Saturday, November 9. Open to all artistic levels, the $80 cost will include all maerials and a light lunch. For further information telephone 295-9428.