Global Perspectives Photography opens a Year of Diversity in Art at UUFF Gallery
By A.E.Bayne
Stories
of fredericksburg
by ryan poe
A paired photography show from Seth Craig and Saeed Ordoubadi kicks off UUFF Gallery’s Year of Diversity in Art. An opening will be held on Sunday, January 3, 2016, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., at 25 Chalice Circle in Fredericksburg. Come out and enjoy this pairing of populations, cultures, and natural habitats that span the globe.
of wildlife and the people living near it. Craig’s work shows not only the nurturing of life, but the pitfalls and trepidations as well. From the mama cheetah dutifully carrying her curious cub back to the fold by the scruff of his neck, to the elephant family nurturing a calf near a water hole, to the mother warthog leading three piglets in search of grubs, Craig’s photos strike chords in the hearts of his audience. Each photo tells a story, and Craig eagerly shares his personal encounters with the humans and animals in his them. Saeed Ordoubadi begins his artist statement, “I was born in the ancient city of Shiraz – the city that gave the world her deep red wine.” Though he spent his professional life as a researcher, statistician, economist and university faculty, Ordoubadi describes the “rebirth” he has experienced in his retirement: “All my life I was mesmerized by light “Quizzacle Leopard”, Seth Craig and colors and the images Seth Craig may be most familiar they create. Everywhere I worked, there as a local physician, but many know him were lots of lights, day and night. The for his skills with a camera as well. lights, however, were all artificial, the Encompassing over fifteen years of cross- colors unnatural, and the images appeared continental travel with an eye toward the fake.” In retirement, Ordoubadi says he natural world, Craig’s photography will has learned a new language, “the language transport you to the veldt of Africa and of the soul spoken in images.” dazzle you with the deserts of India. It A Taste of Cuba is a selection of images Ordoubadi captured during a weeklong visit to the country, which he describes as rich with culture, warm people, and beautiful bright c o l o r s . Ordoubadi says, “It has been a marvelous soulful journey. I hope the viewers hear “Daily Life”, Saeed Ordoubadi the Soul the way I will carry you from the coastline of heard her speaking to me.” California, to the peaks and valleys of the The show and gallery will be open Adirondacks, to the banks of our very own Sundays directly after services or by Rappahannock River. With clarity and appointment throughout January and precision, Craig captures the rich February. Stop by during open hours, or biodiversity of our planet while infusing a call (540) 310-4001 to set up an sense of spirituality and universal appointment. meaning into each piece. Information provided by the Visual Arts Craig reveals these connections Committee at UUFF Gallery, in his unique and detailed close captures Fredericksburg, Virginia.
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January 2016
Front porch fredericksburg
I met Brian Lam one afternoon for tea near his downtown spa, Skin +Touch. It was unseasonably warm for December so we sat outside. I asked Brian how long he’s lived in Fredericksburg. “It’s been five years now. I was just thinking about it. I feel like we’re sophomores. We’re not freshmen where we know a few people, but we’re certainly not seniors.” I know the feeling. I moved here when I was three and there are still times when I feel like a transplant just because my family hasn’t lived here for multiple generations. But at the same time Fredericksburg is a welcoming place. Brian went on to tell me how his business got started. “I was working at a spa in New York and I thought if we were to move to Fredericksburg, I’ll work a little bit and see what there was. I worked for a couple months and then I was like, ‘Ok, I think I’m ready to breakout and do my own thing.’ I started real small. I rented an office by the Friends of the Rappahannock. It was just the bottom part of the building in the middle of the woods. I liked it because it was secluded but I think people were like, ‘It was really hard to find and I didn’t even know there was a building back here.’ I made them drive through a wooded area so it was kinda of creepy. But I think people got it after a bit and fortunately they stuck with me. Eventually it grew and I was like, ‘I want to move downtown.’ I found another little spot and now this is the third spot (714 Caroline
Street). I never thought that I would have it be this big but there was an opportunity there to do it, so I did it. There’s good opportunities for people who want to be an entrepreneur. I don’t think it’s the easiest thing. I don’t think everyone should do it. You know, you need some skills and you do it right and you put in the time. This place is not oversaturated with businesses, so there’s openings for opportunity.” “Lately I’ve been inspired when I meet people who are doing things. We have a lot of talent in this town. There’s a lot of opportunity to meet and work with them. When I see their work, I’m like, ‘Oh! This is awesome! It’s not such a small town and here are these awesome people doing their thing.’ Great artists or designers. Those are the people that I’m attracted to because they’re creating different worlds.” “I’ve been working with Main Street and we’re doing this branding thing. I’m in this meeting with several artists and other public people. And Byron [Glaser] and Sandra [Higashi] are showing this branding and it struck me, ‘This is kind of brilliant. It’s really great.’ And there’s Gabe and Scarlett [Pons] next to me and I really respect their work. In this little meeting there’s these great people that do work and now they’re doing this for the city and it will be really great when we launch it.” “The last two years I’ve been building my business, so I’ve been holed up in my own thing. And now I’m like, ‘I gotta get out there and meet other people and see what they’re doing.’ We’re all dayto-day doing our daily grind but then it’s nice to meet other people when they do their thing and just appreciate their work. I feel like the business is going well enough and I can start meeting more people. Get inspired more. I’m looking forward to that in the new year.” You can meet Brian and see what he does at Skin+Touch Therapy Spa on Caroline Street.
flashback Remember the blizzard of 2010? It’s one thing to have a wedding. It’s quite another to have a wedding when it seems that the forces of nature are working against you. Honestly, when you get two feet of unexpected snow in Fredericksburg Virginia what are you suppose to do? You’re still suppose to get married – and that’s exactly what Kyle and Christie did. The memorable weather made for some even more memorable photos that set the scene for this gorgeous winter wedding! What were you doing during this blizzard? Mary Dougherty Fine Art Wedding Photos www.marydougherty.com
If you have a Story of Fredericksburg, email storyfburg@gmail.com. Ryan Poe is a father, husband, son, and brother living in Fredericksburg. He brings us "snippets" of real 'Burg folks each month in FP. Photo by Ryan Poe
front porch fredericksburg
January 2016
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