An exhibit of contemporary photographs celebrating life in Chelsea will be on display starting Friday, September 14, at Gallery 456. The opening reception takes place that evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at 456 Broadway, Chelsea.
The featured images are large scale reproductions of the winners of the Welcome to Chelsea Photo Contest. Amateur and professional photographers participated with a dozen winners selected by a formal judging panel. The People’s Choice Award decided through online voting by more than 500 votes by people in the community.
The contest was presented by Chelsea Prospers, the City of Chelsea’s initiative for vitality in the downtown, and the facebook group Chelsea MA Photography Club coordinated by photographer and former City Councilor Matt Frank.
The judging panel included Darlene DeVita, an award-winning fine art photographer; Matt Frank, a former City Councilor and photographer who initiated the Chelsea MA Photography Club; State Representative Roselee Vincent, a champion for the arts and former member of the legislature’s Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development; Sury Chavez, a local painter whose decorative murals and “Welcome to Chelsea” signs can be seen in key locations throughout the city; Marianne Ramos, a self-taught “outsider artist” and long-time Chelsea resident who serves as Program Coordinator for the Chelsea Senior Center; and Alex Train, artist and Assistant Director of the Department of Planning and Development for the City of Chelsea.
All of the winning images, submitted digitally, have been reproduced in high-quality, large format canvas prints. These framed works will remain on display on Broadway until mid to late October. At the conclusion of the exhibit the winners will take home their framed prints.
Gallery 456 is a storefront gallery so it is always open. The entire exhibit can be viewed from the sidewalk.
Exhibited Works
- Best in Show
Sunrise Over the Cemetery by Aaron Kraemer
- Local Business
From Chelsea to Boston by Isaac Subillaga
Happy Your-Day! by Teri Weidner
Soldiers Home by Deb Cronin
- People of Chelsea
Maggie and William by Katy Rogers
Hero by Deb Cronin
Come Together by Katy Rogers
- Community
Chelsea Community Gardening by Katy Rogers
Morning at the Community Rail by Aaron Kraemer
Diversity: Chelsea’s Middle Name by Teri Weidner
- Chelsea, Past and Present
Sunrise Over the Cemetery by Aaron Kraemer
Chelsea Winter Storm by Joe Makarski
Abandonment Issues by Isaac Subillaga
- People’s Choice
My Green Monstah by Deb Cronin