New Georgina art exhibit shows ‘all the warts and complexion’ of mundane images, marrying the lens with the pen

Georgina Centre for Arts and Cult 7 Stories photo, writing exhibit on display until June 30, special reading May 13

Yorkregion.com
May 11, 2023
Amanda Persico

A picture is worth 1,000 words.

In the case of the 7 Stories photography exhibit and writing contest hosted by the Georgina Centre for Arts and Culture, stories are limited to 400 words.

But that’s not to say the stories were not compelling.

“There are so many moving stories, just good old-fashioned fiction,” said local photographer Tom Zsolt.

And he should know. Not only was Zsolt part of the esteemed judge's panel, but his photos served as the muses for the exhibit, which runs until June 30.

The 7 Stories exhibit marries the eye of the beholder with the mighty word, lens with the pen, where images unhindered by glass and gloss are displayed side-by-side with the written word.

“This is a brilliant combination of words and images,” Zsolt said. “It’s art appreciation of the written word and vice versa.”

Each of the images tells a pensive story, from a coal-burning facility in the Arizona desert and a crisp blue bench parked in front of an equally crisp blue sky to quintessential abandoned buildings that litter the Canadian small-town landscape and a portrait of Georgina’s last rodeo cowboy without a horse, Doug Doner.

As a photographer, Zsolt shoots in a compelling documentary style, focusing on capturing a slice of history.

“I try and take the mundane and make it interesting and beautiful,” he said. “I want to show things head-on, the way it is with all the warts and complexion.”

Earlier this year, the centre put a call out for short stories using one of the seven images as inspiration.

And writers responded with their mighty pens -- about 80 short stories were submitted.

And there’s a story behind every photo. In fact, there’s a first, second and third place story based on each image as well as first, second and third overall.

The exhibit not only blends words and images, but it's also a completely immersive experience.

Along with a smattering of photos never exhibited before, the related stories will also be on display for patrons to read or listen to via audio recording.

The writing contest winners will be announced and stories will be read on May 13, 1 to 4 p.m. during a special awards presentation.

For more information, visit thegcac.ca.