About us

SpectrumAtNight

MISSION STATEMENT

Spectrum Art Gallery is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Our mission is to advance photography as an art form through exhibitions and education. We aim to foster understanding and support for creatives by providing resources and exhibition space for working artists and students. Our educational programs and workshops provide a forum for the discussion of photography related media as a means of creative expression and cultural insight. Spectrum Art Gallery offers an accessible community space for activities and programs to meet the community’s needs.

HISTORY

Fifty years ago exhibitions of photography as an art form appeared very infrequently, especially in the San Joaquin Valley. It was at that time a growing number of photographic artists began to congregate in a darkroom rental gallery establishment called Photo-Synthesis. By 1980 this group of local photographers formed a not-for-profit cooperative to create a local forum for the fine art of photography. Later that year the group rented a space in Fresno’s Tower District, and referring to the broad variety of work produced by the charter members, called itself “Spectrum Gallery.” It operated under the umbrella of the Fresno Free College Foundation for several years until achieving its own non-profit 501(c)(3) status as “Spectrum Art Gallery.”

ABOUT US

Spectrum is the only fine art photography gallery between Sacramento and Carmel. As a successful and growing gallery, we provide a space for community and photographic expression in California’s Central Valley. Serving approximately 3,000 gallery visitors each year; 1200 website visitors; 600 Newsletter recipients each month and a combined social media following of 1600 people. Our satellite exhibit at the Fresno Airport Terminal has had approximately 1 million viewers throughout the year. Our gallery supporters reside all over the country from Hawaii to Louisiana. Spectrum Art Gallery was awarded Best Art Gallery from Best of Central California People’s Choice Awards. Published in the June 4, 2023, edition of The Fresno Bee. Several famous photographers have exhibited at Spectrum Gallery, including Wynn Bullock, Martha Casanave, Ted Orland, Judy Dater, and Jerry Uelsmann, among others. Our members are a talented group of individuals, showcasing their diverse expertise as both award-winning photographers and published authors.

Spectrum provides resources for working photographers and students while further developing public awareness of fine art photography. The Main Gallery features solo to three-person member shows, Guest Artists, Annual Auction Exhibition, and a Members’ or New Members’ group show each year. Our gallery offers a work space for members that includes a darkroom for traditional photo development, alternative processes and equipment to mat and frame prints for exhibitions. Spectrum has a broad and inclusive, curatorial approach to exhibiting work that ranges from traditional portraits, soulful landscapes, to the avant garde/experimental. As our name implies, we believe in the full spectrum of artistic expression. All possible subjects are to be celebrated from gentle landscapes to uncomfortable truths. Our diverse membership represents various age groups, backgrounds, andoccupations. Every member has the opportunity to exhibit their work throughout the year.

MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS

 

President: Edward Gillum

Ed Gillum has been a Professor of Art for over thirty years and has taught at Fresno State for twenty-five years.  He resides, teaches, and makes art in Fresno, CA.  His concerns as an artist, father, and citizen of the Earth are creativity and the sustainability of the gift of life for every living organism.  My years of teaching art, doing photography, and making sculptures have instilled a high level of appreciation for the expressive qualities of art and the refinement of craft.  Curiosity has kept open a window to explore a diverse range of media and content.

president@spectrumphotogallery.org

Vice President: Joshua Moulton

Joshua Moulton is a Fresno born photographer and has been a member of the gallery since 2019. He joined the Board in 2023. From a photographic standpoint, Josh loves to travel and capture the beauty and wonder that the world has to provide. When not shooting, editing, travelling or working, Josh likes to read and play videogames as well as spend time with his wife and cats. He also has a fondness for silly hats.

vpres@spectrumphotogallery.org

Treasurer: Lyssa Bird

Lyssa Bird and her journey into photography began in 1999 as a prerequisite for completing her AA in General Studies. However, she discovered a genuine love for the art form. Fast forward to 2024, and she holds a Masters of Art in Photography and a Bachelors of Art in Printmaking. Photography, unlike printmaking, drawing, and painting, has given her the means to express herself fully.

Engaging in the creation of art allows her to manifest a deep passion for her craft, with photography taking a prominent role, enabling her to capture and convey her love for the artistic process. The medium of photography consistently transports her back to the initial days of shooting, evoking the raw gut instinct of capturing images without overthinking, letting that instinct guide her artistic path.

Almost 15 years ago, she wrote, “I receive the greatest pleasure in photography when I am able to successfully translate a three-dimensional subject matter onto a two-dimensional media.” This sentiment remains true today. With enthusiasm, she embarks on a new phase, incorporating three-dimensionality into her photography, exploring the realms of printmaking and textile art as expressive avenues. She eagerly anticipates sharing her latest creations with the world.

treasurer@spectrumphotogallery.org

Secretary: Michelle Ricci-Koch

Michelle Ricci-Koch is a long time Spectrum member and central valley native. Her service to Spectrum has included two terms on the board and chair of the auction committee. She discovered her love of the darkroom and Fine Art Photography while attending Fresno City College. Michelle worked in the beauty industry as a hairstylist for 30 years. Currently, she works as a Portrait and Family Photographer and pursues continued education in her craft along with exploration of combining photography with other forms of art. Michelle is continually seeking connection, not only in her images, but also in her community. Becoming a better human is the goal. She holds an Associates Certification with The Portrait Masters and is working towards her Masters.

secretary@spectrumphotogallery.org

Board Members at Large:

Wendy Denton learned photography in Germany in her early 20s. At first, she was self-taught through books and a makeshift darkroom in her kitchen. She then used the darkroom in the Karlsruhe U.S. Army base. Her love was black and white imagery, and her photographic activity was more or less her therapy. Since that time, she has done several studies of personal interest: cancer, climate change, abandoned places, endangered birds, and others. She is the past president of the board for Timberline Gallery in Oakhurst and current president of Yosemite Sierra Artists and Vice-President in charge of artist demos for Yosemite Western Artists.

Steve Dzerigian, past President and Curator of Spectrum Art Gallery, currently serves on the Board of Directors, Education, Exhibition, and 40th Anniversary Committees, and in other capacities including New Members, and Members’ Showcase. He instructed for U.C.S.C. Extension and The Ansel Adams Gallery in addition to teaching photography full-time at FCC. In 1980, he gathered charter members to create Spectrum. His work has appeared in Museums and Galleries throughout the United States, “LensWork Quarterly,” “Focus,” “Black & White” and “Color” Magazines, Books -“Photography”, “Exploring Color Photography”, Hilary Austen’s “Artistry Unleashed.” The Press at C.S.U.F. published his book, Trail of Stones: My Path in Photography.

Meg Kosloff is a 9-year-old leapling and a passionate photographer hailing from California. Meg recalls capturing memories with a point-and-shoot camera during her middle school years, and during college, she delved deeper into the craft by taking photography courses at the local community college. Her love for darkroom photography blossomed during this time, and she held onto the dream of having her own darkroom. Nearly two decades later, Meg’s dream has come true, as she now develops and prints black-and-white photos in her very own darkroom. In her photographic journey, Meg transitioned from using a digital SLR to a full-frame mirrorless camera last year, an upgrade that she finds truly amazing. Her photography portfolio showcases a diverse range of subjects, including street scenes, bands/musicians, food, and landscapes, making her aptly described as a lifestyle photographer. Beyond her creative pursuits, Meg is also an accomplished ICU nurse with a wealth of experience in listening to people’s stories. She loves embarking on adventures and spending time with her husband and their two adorable kitties.

Nicole Ellis Photography serves as her medium for delving into the depths of the psyche—an escape from the external world. The utilization of analog techniques and alternative print processes becomes a tool for both challenging the viewer’s perception and capturing the essence of a specific time and space. Nicole draws a parallel between her existence and a film negative, a canvas open to interpretation with endless possibilities.

Self-portraiture becomes a means to replicate moments in time, offering a reflection of personal experiences within those fleeting instances. Through printmaking and the deliberate use of image repetition, she accentuates her fixation on these pivotal moments. By embracing a meticulous process, she enables a thorough exploration, confronting and reconciling with the inner complexities that define her artistic journey.

Sally Stallings, artist and teacher, is best known for her sensory approach to the visual arts. Exhibitions of her own work consist of numerous group shows as well as one-person shows throughout California, including the Matrix Gallery in Sacramento, the Fresno Art Museum, Gallery 25, and Fig Tree Gallery. She has organized children’s art exhibitions in the Fresno area, as well as served as mentor teacher with the Fresno Unified School District. She developed the program and taught visual arts for twenty-three years at Project T.A.L.E.N.T. in Fresno, California. Awarded the California Art Education Association’s Outstanding Art Educator for 1991, she was a Fresno Public Education Foundation finalist in the 2002 Excellence in Education Awards, and was honored by the Fresno Arts Council in 1995 with the Horizon Award for Best Artist. Sally has maintained a life long dedication to literature, the visual arts and education.

 

MEET OUR GALLERY MANAGER

Victoria Flores is the Gallery Manager and Webmaster. She is an accomplished artist, adjunct professor at Fresno City College and a Sacramento State University Alumni. She is not only a member but also actively contributes to multiple committees within Spectrum Art Gallery, further shaping its artistic vision and community impact. She has seamlessly integrated formal education, technical expertise, and community service throughout her diverse career in visual arts.

Her extensive exhibition history showcases a diverse range of works, from solo exhibitions like “APP ART” on the World Wide Web in 2018 to group shows at renowned venues such as SF MOMA and Verge Center for the Arts. She has honed a versatile skill set, ranging from digital photography and alternative processes to painting, animation, graphic and web design. Victoria’s technical expertise has been a driving force, enabling her to push artistic boundaries and experiment with various mediums. As she continues to navigate the intersection of art and technology, Victoria remains a dynamic figure, inspiring aspiring artists and making valuable contributions to vibrant art communities.