GARWOOD-SKALA GALLERY EXHIBITS

"AGE IS JUST A NUMBER"

JANUARY 6TH, 2025 - FEBRUARY 14TH, 2026

PORTRAITS FROM PHOTOGRAPHER BRIAN STEPHENSON

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Photography has been a creative outlet for me since the 1980’s when my mother bought me my first camera, a Nikon EM with a nifty-fifty lens (I still own that equipment). From the first time I pointed that now vintage camera at a subject and pushed the shutter release, the familiar clunk-clunk of the mirror slapping inside the camera body proved too seductive to ever put in a drawer and stop capturing the world around me. This has led to a lifetime of devouring photography books and practicing as much as possible in every genre available. I consider myself to be self-taught but realistically understand that I have been presented with many opportunities to learn from others I admire and at times try to emulate. Now better than 40 years later I am blessed to feel that same giddiness when I discover an image with the ability to make me pause. And all these years later I find myself learning new techniques and a deeper appreciation for the photographers around me who possess the gift of making me pause when looking at their images.

For whatever reason I have been drawn to portraits as a favorite subject, namely people I consider as elders. There is no greater satisfaction for me than taking a picture of someone and reviewing that image only to find myself swimming in their expressions and analyzing the potential thoughts racing through their minds. Selfishly, this practice feeds my soul and I’m unabashedly proud that you are here to see this exhibit.

STATMENT:

My favorite moment with photography has been a result of the captured image, perhaps months or years after it was taken. I have been honestly humbled when I run into a family member of a nursing home resident at the grocery store and they express to me their heartfelt appreciation for the picture of their loved one. This picture may be hanging in their home, it may have been used for an obituary, or it was shared to the branches of their family tree as a memento. But a common thread is that this picture is most likely one of the last ones they are able to keep as a memory of their favorite person. I take this as a serious responsibility and wish to portray the people I am honored to capture with dignity, empathy, and an effort to reflect, in some small way, who these people are. After all, photography is merely a split-second pause in time that can be referred to repeatedly over the years.

HIGHLAND PARK MISSION STATMENT:

Our mission statement reminds us that it truly is the job of every person in the Highland Park community to create “Dignity in Life” for those we are privileged to serve. We are a team within a community that does everything in our power to make all residents feel like they are the most important person in our life at that time. Each day has many opportunities for us to create a moment of joy with a resident whether it’s making them laugh, engaging them in a meaningful activity or conversation, or taking them their favorite snack. All these things create purpose, pleasure & peace that have a lasting effect on the resident. We facilitate activities and experiences by honoring all five dimensions of wellness: emotional, social, spiritual, physical, and educational. Finding the exact wellness ratio for each resident is where we shine.

Residents who are engaged in meaningful activities that provide a sense of accomplishment or purpose are known to be more content. They eat better, they sleep better, have a more positive outlook, and make more meaningful connections with other residents.

We not only provide purpose…..we challenge them to rethink what they are capable of. We teach them to dream again.

We are so blessed to have Brian there to capture some of these dreams.