Arts Agenda - Sight unseen

When Mary Anne Redding was drafted to jury the Atlanta Photography Group’s Submission Show, she decided to take a blind approach to the selection process.

“I looked at everything without looking at who the artist was first. I just looked at the portfolios and their slides for consistency of vision,” says Redding, executive director of the Light Factory in Charlotte, N.C., which specializes in photography as well as video, film and digital works.

Selecting from a pool of more than 30 artists, Redding was a little surprised at the results. “When I went back saw the names on some of the works I’d chosen, I knew some of the photographers,” she says, noting that the finalists include nationally known names as well as a few newcomers. The five artists featured in the show are JRF, Sam Hill, Frank Hunter, Andrew Stivers and Michael Tierney.

Although Frank Hunter has made a name for himself in photo circles across the country, Redding says she was particularly intrigued by the concept-driven works of Tierney, who looks at the objectification of objects, and some of the more cutting-edge submissions from other photographers. “I like JRF. He pushes a little — his work is really conceptual, and that’s something I’m really interested in,” Redding says.

The Submission Show runs through June 9 at the Atlanta Photography Group Gallery, 660 9th St. An Artist Talk is scheduled for June 9 at 10 a.m.; refreshments served. Gallery hours are noon - 4 p.m. Wed. - Sat., or by appointment. Free. 404-877-1144, or www.atlantaphotographygroup.org??