Inspired by Optimism

C.a Shofed & Jane Zamost

Opening Reception: Saturday, April 8 | 3-5pm

In the making of this exhibit, we began to explore what optimism looks like … its color, value, image and movement.  Does it exist during life’s positive moments or perhaps, the most challenging?  

Color, for C.a Shofed, dominates his work. “Bright, vibrant, saturated color. It denotes new birth and rejuvenation. Things old can be made new again.  When looking at my works”, says Craig, “my hope is that the viewer is reminded that anything is possible.

For Jane Zamost, it’s about capturing the moment. “I want you to feel the complexity of life and the enormous possibilities it holds by the movement of my strokes, the richness of my materials, the depth of my many layers. May you feel my joy and sadness, excitement and frustration – know that each of these emotions is touched by my belief that hope always exists in this imperfect world of ours.”

ABOUT C.A SHOFED

C.a. Shofed studied Advertising Design in college.  “It was college that first exposed me to photography.” Before he had a real chance to explore photography as a career, he took a summer job as a computer installer and never looked back.  “I spent the next 25 years as an IT Professional. Although my professional life had focused on technology, I maintained an interest in photography, always carrying my camera with me, taking photographs whenever the opportunity presented itself or whenever a particular scene or object inspired me.”

After moving to Trenton, NJ, C.a. Shofed began to notice the city’s vibrant, raw art scene. He began volunteering at Artworks Trenton becoming highly involved in Art All Night.  Sometime after his second kidney transplant he made the decision that he was not going back to his 9 to 5, he would make art his career by becoming a Fine Art Photographer. “I’m surrounded and supported by the best art community in the country here in Trenton. There is no better place then right here to start this new chapter in my life”.  It took C.a. awhile to find his “style”.  “I became increasingly aware that my attention was drawn to ordinary objects pressured by nature and time, people began to be described my photography as “industrial meets nature”. I was enjoying finding beauty in things that are not naturally considered beautiful”.  It was C.a. Shofed’s first solo exhibit “Double Take” which included ten photographs of fire hydrants as they appeared “in the wild” that really refined his style. “Things really clicked for me after that exhibit. I began refining how I took pictures trying my best to only use the editing features within my camera to create my art. I enjoy pushing the boundaries of photography and my camera. I am not worried so much about the technical aspect and perfection of a picture. I’m more concerned with capturing a moment and sharing that moment with my audience.”

ABOUT JANE ZAMOST

Jane Zamost is a painter and mixed media artist intrigued with the healing arts and its profound effect on the human spirit.  She has gained community recognition for her involvement in the healing arts leading workshops and creating artworks that inspire optimism, calm and social justice.  Formerly, Jane Zamost was the Healing Arts Program Coordinator at Capital Health, one of the founding partners of LUX Gallery and in her earlier career, Senior Vice President at Projects In Knowledge, a medical education/communications company. Jane graduated from Rutgers University, studied at Mason Gross School of the Arts and, in London, England, the Sir John Cass School of Art and the London Polytechnic.  

Jane’s works have been exhibited in more than sixty art exhibits and can currently be seen at the Copelouzos Family Art Museum in Athens, Greece, on the TV show Househunters, the film “Hide,” the web site ArtSpan Contemporary Art, www.JaneZamost.com and in private, corporate and hospital collections in the United States. Jane accepts commissions and produces limited run Giclee prints for collectors.