Faces & Little Blue Ribbon Gallery

Alyssa VanPelt-Cathcart, Staff Writer

The final Open Space Gallery showing is a collection of photographs by Kento Igarashi which are being held until December 14^th, 2024. The final Project Space Gallery showing is a collection of photographs by Wesley Bernard which are also being held until December 14^th, 2024. The reception for both galleries was held November 21^st, 2024, with gallery director Sarah Simpson hosting the reception. 

Bernard, a professor within the arts department who specializes in photography, began this project thirty years ago. He explains that he grew up in Arizona surrounded by rodeos and cattle raising prior to him getting into photography. When asked why he loves cows, he would say he does not. He explains that he likes them, and he finds them delicious when grilled. However, he would like to thank cows for always being a part of his life and something for him to photograph. 

The project, Little Blue Ribbon, Bernard was once working for a magazine where he had gone to a local fair to take a photograph for the cover. While there, he witnessed a little girl, proudly, holding a ribboned chicken. She refused to let go of the chicken because it had won, and she was joyful. When he tried to photograph the little girl, the picture did not come out well and with the same emotion he got having watched her. So, in 2019, he went to the local fair and worked with families, 4-H, and the children to photograph those who had won. He loves how messy this project is and how authentic it felt. He said, this project is a “beautiful documentary of a slice of time.” Many of the children who participated as models were there in the audience. It was noticeable how much each of them had grown in the past five years. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Bernard was unable to display so many of these photos all together in one location. He has been waiting and so delighted that they could display them in the Project Space Gallery. This way, many of the children and families could attend as well. 

Kento Igarashi, a senior receiving his BFA December 2024, began his project a year ago. Igarashi is from Tokyo, Japan, so being at SUNY Oneonta is very unlike what he was familiar with. Igarashi explains that he thought New York to be New York City, so he was surprised at how small Oneonta is. Through becoming inspired by fashion photography and Richard Avedon, who, according to The Richard Avedon Foundation, “he photographed models and fashions on the streets, in nightclubs, at the circus, on the beach and at other uncommon locations, employing the endless resourcefulness and inventiveness that became a hallmark of his art.” Viewing Igarashi’s photos, it is clear to see that inspiration. He had Bernard as a professor, and according to Igarashi, Bernard tells his students to “shoot like the wind,” so that is what he does. He enjoys meeting people in Oneonta and the surrounding communities to photograph. There is such a strong community with nice people in Oneonta, said Igarashi. Because it is small, there can be stronger and tighter connections made among the members of this community. Igarashi said he wants to meet every person in Oneonta and the neighboring towns, to really feel like this place is his. So, he asked the audience, if he asks to take a photo, just say yes and he will make sure it is good. 

It is strongly encouraged that members of the community visit both the Open Space Gallery and the Project Space Gallery to view these wonderful photos.