Sandra Maggio, a Fredonia-based photographer, is preparing to launch her solo exhibition "Nature Unfiltered: The Photography of Sandra Ebling-Maggio" at the Darwin R. Baker Library. The show will run from September 2 through October 25, with an opening reception scheduled for September 4 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the library located on 7 Day Street.
Maggio, who runs her photography business called Untouched Images, specializes in nature photography taken exclusively with a camera phone without any post-processing or Photoshop editing. Since The Post-Journal and Dunkirk Observer first featured her work in 2023, Maggio says her artistic career has "blossomed" significantly, leading to numerous opportunities and collaborations throughout the region.
The upcoming library exhibition will feature 40 pieces focusing on water reflections, flowers, lakeside sunscapes, treescapes, creeks, and other nature subjects. Maggio's unique approach involves capturing spontaneous moments in nature using only her smartphone, allowing her to photograph subjects within seconds rather than using professional camera equipment. "I don't take my photos with a plan," Maggio explained. "My photos are things that just happen, as something catches my eye in nature."
Beyond the library show, Maggio has achieved several notable milestones in her artistic journey. She became the first and only photographer to have her work featured and sold at The West End Gallery within Fredonia's Village Frame Shop. Her photographs are also included in the Chautauqua County Art Trail through her involvement with the North Shore Arts Alliance, which helps promote local artists throughout the community.
Maggio is currently working on a poetry and photography book titled "Finding Peace In Times Like These" through the Lakeshore Center for the Arts. The publication will combine at least 12 of her poems with corresponding photographs, with hopes for publication by December. "What I'm trying to do is make sure it elicits some kind of positive feeling for viewers to read and look at, and maybe bring them down a level from stress and anxiety," Maggio said.
Her recent publishing achievements include contributing to "Teacher Influencers," a book by the Lakeshore Center for the Arts Writers Group, where she wrote about her former biology professor from Fredonia. This connection led to a partnership with the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, where she and her professor submitted fly-fishing photographs to an exhibit called "Clarity." She has also contributed to the institute's "Broken Nature" show and had a piece accepted into the Erie Art Museum's 101st spring exhibition.
Coming out of retirement to pursue her artistic passion, Maggio purchased a house where she plans to open her own home gallery called "Elemental Encounters; Unfiltered Views." She chose the name "Elemental" because her work focuses on basic, natural subjects, and "Encounters" because her photography captures unexpected moments rather than planned compositions. "I think after this show is done, I will be ready to open my own gallery here," she said.
As arts funding continues to decline nationally, Maggio has participated in numerous classes at the Lakeshore Center for the Arts to develop her business skills. These include courses on perspective, learning Adobe Lightroom, website creation, and QR code development for business cards. The center also assists her with podcast production and videography for promotional purposes, utilizing social media to help advertise local artists despite limited budgets.
"We don't want to not have art in life," Maggio emphasized. "Art makes the world go round, and it's really, really tough." While she hasn't yet received the grants she's applied for, she has returned to part-time work to fund her artistic pursuits, including the expensive costs of framing and printing. Her partnership with Fredonia Village Frame Shoppe, which recently came under new management, provides affordable framing services and free display space for her work.
The North Shore Arts Alliance plays a crucial role in supporting Maggio and other local artists by maximizing the impact of minimal membership fees to provide community exposure. The organization recently organized an art trail during Labor Day weekend, giving participating artists significant visibility. "You just have to be connected to some of these organizations because they're watching out for us and the community," Maggio noted.
At the September 4 library reception, visitors will have the opportunity to hear Maggio discuss her smartphone photography techniques and the importance of framing in her artistic process. She hopes to inspire people to "put their phones away and enjoy nature's beauty" while paradoxically demonstrating how mobile technology can be used as a legitimate artistic tool. The library will provide refreshments, and Liberty Winery Vineyards will offer wine tasting during the event.
Looking toward the future, Maggio plans to continue expanding her artistic education through workshops at the Erie Art Museum, exploring different types of art and media to enhance her photographic vision. She has applied for fellowships at local art museums and seeks to increase her community involvement. "I want my photography to be more than just an artful passion," she explained. "I have a purpose and thought with the pictures I take. I wonder about how the viewer is going to feel when they look at it, what kind of feeling will it elicit, and whether it will have a helpful impact that leads to better care for our environment."
Maggio credits the collaborative spirit of local arts organizations and businesses for supporting her artistic journey. "You know how they say it takes a village to raise a child," she reflected. "Well, I think it takes a whole community of cultural differences and so on to work together and support each other and promote each other in whatever way they can." Her story exemplifies how individual artists can thrive through community partnerships and mutual support, even during challenging times for arts funding and cultural programming.
