1 Week Only In New Hope: 'Not Your Run Of The Mill Photo Show'

NEW HOPE, PA — Photography month in New Hope is wrapping up with a week-long show that's a bit unusual — all the photographers displaying their work at Phillips' Mill are members of the mill's Photo Committee.

The Not Your Run of the Mill Photo Show will run Apr. 24 through Apr. 30.

"Mounting a members' show was a longtime dream," said Spencer Saunders, founder of the photography program and shows at Phillips' Mill. "Without a juried show to hang on the walls, our passionate group seized the day."

Saunders said the first exhibit was last year, after the cancellation of the juried show during COVID-19 — and that it was a success.

"Each of the 29 committee members assembled a body of work, and together with our digital team, created Phillips' Mill's first members' exhibition," he said.

This year, the prints will hang on the walls in the historic mill.

"This show is one of the prime benefits of joining the Mill Photo Committee," explains Saunders. "It is the reward for all the hard work these volunteers put in each year across 20 different committees, from marketing to digital and social media to building walls, setting the lights and hanging the show."

The Mill Photo members use all sorts of techniques in their art, a news release said. Some use traditional styles, some bend the light, and others test the limits of new photographic technologies. Their work is recognized throughout the region, and in many cases throughout the country and the world.

Photographer Dutch Bagley was first accepted in the Mill's juried show in 2015.

"To see the 'fine art' photography on the wall was jaw dropping for me," he recalls. "My subsequent volunteering in various functions inspired me to become part of the 'committee' and enabled me to see how much effort goes into creating such a prestigious exhibition."

Bagley continued, "The energy and enthusiasm of the other committee members is contagious, and each one has some knowledgeabout photography and life that inspires us all."

His work has won various awards at Phillips' Mill and beyond, most recently taking First Place in the 2022 Michael Day International Competition. His work has been published in Photographer's FORUM's "Best of Photography Annual" for three years in a row.

John Stritzinger's work had been selected for several Phillips' Mill juried shows, when he jumped in to lend a hand with technology as Mill Photo went digital, producing its first online show in 2020.

"Being part of a creative community, an especially good one like the Mill Photo committee, satisfies my need to connect and be a part of something bigger than myself," he said."I've learned how much gets done behind the scenes, responding to assist entrants and other volunteers in generating the exhibitions."

His work recently won Third Place forPhotography in the State Museum of Pennsylvania's "Art of the State: Pennsylvania 2020"juried competition. His piece was one of 108 works selected from 1,901 entries. He has been published in the LensWork anthology, Our Magnificent Planet, and in B&W magazine.

"I’ve been a volunteer for 3 years," said Sharlene Holliday, one of the newer Mill Photo members. "I love the camaraderie among the Mill volunteer photographers…learning from other artists and seeing what other artists are working on. It’s also fun!"

Her photography was accepted in the 2015 and 2020 juried shows.

"Those acceptances are prestigious and impressive," she explains. "But equally important is being part of the 'Not Your Run of the Mill' member show. Sometimes you pour your heart and soul into your photography and in this exhibition you get to share something you’re passionate about. There is no jury. No judgement. No pressure. That’s super exciting!"

She has shown photography in galleries in Vermont, Minnesota, and South Carolina, and has been published in SHOTS and B&W magazines.

The Mill Photo Committee welcomes and encourages new members. In addition to organizingthe shows, the committee shares their love of photography throughout the year through other photography-related activities and a newsletter devoted to the art of photography and the work of its members.

Those interested in getting involved can email photo@phillipsmill.org or subscribe to the newsletter.

Not Your Run of the Mill Photo Show will run from Apr. 24 to Apr. 30 with hours from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday and from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Phillips' Mill Community Association at 2619 River Road in New Hope.

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