Nicole L. Croy, photographer and visual artist from Churubusco, Ind., will present her exhibit, “Exploring the world of handmade pinhole cameras” on Friday, Oct. 26, at an opening reception in the Mount Memorial Hall Art Gallery, 200 Seminary Dr., Winona Lake, Ind. Croy will give an artist talk at 7 p.m., with the reception following until 9 p.m. The community is welcome to attend the free event.
“Exploring the world of handmade pinhole cameras” is comprised of more than 80 pinhole photographs. In pinhole photography, images are produced by light entering a small hole that exposes the image on photo paper inside a camera – which can be containers of varying sizes and shapes. Croy has created more than 600 pinhole cameras of her own, ranging from miniature candy tins to a box truck; resulting photos measure from one inch wide to more than six feet wide.
Croy explains, “The concept of pinhole photography is simple, but the creativity and resulting artwork is boundless. I most enjoy working with long-exposure pinhole photography – called ‘solargraphy’ – that allows for recording the sun’s light trail across the sky for a day, a month, or even a year at a time. I have about 200 cameras in operation currently.”
The Mount Memorial Art Gallery is the first to feature Croy’s pinhole photography and solargraphy. Croy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University and a Master of Arts from the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne. Croy’s research in pinhole photography has led to invitations to present at national professional conferences and to publish her findings.
“It is a privilege to have this significant body of work exhibiting at Grace College,” said Kim M. Reiff, chair of the Visual, Performing and Media Arts Department and assistant dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Grace College. “As Nicole advances research into this unique photographic art form, we are pleased to have her as a part-time faculty member at Grace, teaching students from her creative vision and expertise in photography.”
To view Croy’s “Exploring the world of handmade pinhole cameras” exhibit, visit the Mount Memorial Art Gallery now through Dec. 8. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 1 – 4 p.m. For more information, call 574-372-5100, ext. 6022, or email vpma@grace.edu.