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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. More than five dozen photographers and their friends, families and fans will gather at the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship on Albany Post Road in Croton for the 30th annual Photographers of Northern Westchester show Sunday afternoon.
He didn't think photography was an art, said Cornelia Cotton, a longtime Croton resident and founding member of the community photo show, referring to George Kelly, a seminal figure of the Croton Council on the Arts Artists of Northern Westchester show.
So, he challenged me, and I decided to do it, she said.
The show is not juried and is open to the entire community. Entries are taken from across the communities of northern Westchester.
We've shown children, high school students, old people, famous photographers who worked for Life and Time, and people who were taking their very first pictures, Cotton said. The mission of the show, she says, is to stimulate artistic activity in our community.
Similar to many who learn how to snap a shot, she said, Gradually, I realized the wish to take photos myself, and I said, 'Show me which button to push.' Cotton said she learned from her husband, Bill, who she said was a member of the New York's Photo League.
Cottons living room smells of papers, books, arts and the prints that line the walls and shelves. Newspapers are neatly stacked on a chair near the piano and plants line the windows. Busts and profiles of people she photographed for commission are printed from color negatives.
Cotton is the kind of 84-year-old who travelled from Croton to Zuccotti Park several times, and checks a busy calendar to squeeze in appointments. Her living room has the pleasant warmth of old Mount Airy homes, and the unique architecture that defines houses on the hill, many tucked behind trees on long driveways.
The Old Book Room in Croton is operated by Cotton and her daughter, Amy. Cotton curates the historical prints and documents that line the building's northern wall.
Notably, Cotton said the show might be much older than the 30 years its celebrating Sunday afternoon. Cotton has documents that indicate the show has been taking place since the late 1970s.
The opening reception for the show will take place from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship, 2021 Albany Post Road, Croton-on-Hudson. Gallery hours will be from 6-8 p.m. April 2-6 and 2-5 p.m. April 7-8.
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