RIT professors to receive Honored Educators Award at Visual Studies Workshop Nov. 2

A photograph can leave a lasting impression, but so have two Rochester Institute of Technology professors who have pushed the boundaries of contemporary photographic practice in the fields of book making, still photography, video and digital imaging.

Gallery r, RIT’s metro art showcase, located at 100 College Ave., presents the “Patti Ambrogi and Owen Butler” photographic exhibition from Nov.1 through Nov. 30, with an opening reception scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2.

Gallery r will also feature book signings by numerous photographers the night of the reception; Butler will have several books at Gallery r for those wishing to purchase autographed copies.

Ambrogi and Butler are professors in RIT’s School of Photographic Arts and Sciences, and the opening reception coincides with their induction as Honored Educators by the Northeast Regional Chapter of the Society for Photographic Education, which celebrates its 50^th anniversary at the annual regional conference, scheduled from Nov. 1 to Nov. 3 at Visual Studies Workshop, 31 Prince St. The induction ceremony for Honored Educators Award will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at VSW, preceding the exhibition opening at Gallery r.

“For more than three decades, Butler and Ambrogi have instructed and inspired generations of students in SPAS’ BFA and MFA programs,” says Therese Mulligan, professor and administrative chair of RIT’s College of Photographic Arts and Sciences.

“Each has stamped their mark on the educational mission and curriculum of the nationally ranked school, whether in the photojournalism program, in which Butler currently teaches, or in the fine art area, where Ambrogi developed new classes in digital and moving media. As renowned photo educators, Butler and Ambrogi epitomize the rich attributes of a life and career spent in the visual arts; both are practicing artists with a recognized legacy of exhibitions and publications.”

Zerbe Sodervick, Gallery r coordinator and director of extended studies at RIT says Ambrogi and Butler have made significant impact in the field of photography education and created benchmarks for achievement in digital and traditional photographic directions.

“Their new works showcased at 100 College Avenue, will undoubtedly generate and contribute to some lively commentary—art conversations guaranteed to waft across those gallery spaces early November.”

Administrated by RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Gallery r is located at 100 College Ave. Gallery r is handicapped accessible, features easy street and off-street parking, and is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.  All exhibits are free and open to the public. For more information, call (585) 256-3312 or email galleryr99@gmail.com.

For information about SPE’s Northeast Regional Conference, go to https://northeast.spenational.org/conference/register, call 585-442-8876 or email info@vsw.org.