Jamestown photographer George Wiedenhofer’s “Experience Captured” is a selection of local and Yosemite-based landscapes in large format black and white photography, with one in color, on special handmade Japanese papers. Wisconsin artist John Swartwout’s exhibition “Nort” presents three dimensional installations that provide a view of the north country through the artist’s curiously offset lens, revealing the pits and follies, joys, and jubilations of that region.

Wiedenhofer said time spent photographing in Yosemite National Park, in Yosemite, Calif., was an inspiration for his exhibition.

“I chose to do this in the winter months to avoid the crowds … the photos (in that collection) are of the natural world. No people are in my photos, even though four million people visit Yosemite each year.”

Of his process, he says, “The photos are captured with a medium format digital camera using a 51.4-megapixel sensor and 16-bit raw photography. I removed the color so each black and white photo can capture the nuance….”

“Scraps of Wood”, black and white, is among the photographs by Jamestown photographer George Wiedenhofer to be included in an upcoming display at the Crary Art Gallery in Warren.

In a statement, Wiedenhofer says, “I’ve enjoyed a great career, spanning almost four decades, working with architects from around the world. I used my formal education in architecture, supported by world class products, helping designers and owners realize their dreams. During my entire architectural career photography was always a passionate hobby. I’m now able to continue my passion, full time, with a medium format camera in hand and the drawing board as seen through a lens. Each photograph captured includes years of design experience to compose and highlight the natural beauty as I envision it. My photos have very limited compensations applied and I never use Photoshop to manipulate or alter the image.”

Wiedenhofer’s photographs are printed on Koso paper handmade by Ichibei Iwano IX, and framed using museum quality glass.

“This special printmaking process is strictly of the natural world,” he said. “Each print is designed to last many centuries. These long-lasting prints can be used well (into) the future to better understand how our planet is changing. I do this to help make the impermanence of our shared natural world as permanent as possible. (In this exhibition,) you’ll see that I use the natural elements of water, earth, air, space, and fire to organize my photos; an organizational method not usually seen in the digital world.”

Swartwout grew up outside the small town of Pine River, Wisc., where he spent endless days building forts and “Mad Max” like structures out of pine trees, with his little brother and friends. A sculptor/film artist, his work has taken him to Britain, Germany, Canada, and back to the U.S. He holds an MFA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a BFA-BA in Art Education from Viterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Swartwout has exhibited his work across the United States, Canada, and Germany, has received numerous awards, and his work is part of the permanent collection of the National Museum of the American Sailor in Chicago, Ill.

Concurrent with the exhibit opening, guests will have the opportunity to meet the artist and participate in collaborative, experimental art making – “Inclusopolis: WaterCity” – which will use the Crary courtyard fountain space and connected pieces of wood, where visitors participate in a “grand experiment and interactive exhibit building a floating city on the water.” The experience is free and open to all guests, and the artist is providing all materials for the art making collaboration.

Mirrored Tranquility is among the photographs by Jamestown photographer George Wiedenhofer to be included in an upcoming display at the Crary Art Gallery in Warren.

Swartwout is involved in the autism community back in his hometown and would love to meet and chat with local families and professionals affected by autism and other developmental disorders. He will hold an Autism Community Mixer on Tuesday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. at the Crary Art Gallery. To attend register at www.craryartgallery.org.

The public is invited to the opening of the new exhibitions on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. The Crary Art Gallery is a private non-profit art museum, located on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Market Street in downtown Warren. Exhibition hours, after the opening, are Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 6 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information visit craryartgallery.com.

Based on the latest CDC recommendations regarding indoor activities and the growing number of COVID-19 cases in the area, the Crary Art Gallery Board of Directors firmly requests that all visitors, proctors, and artists wear a mask while on premises. Free disposable masks are available at the front desk.