A collection of stunning photos by a Blackfalds artist are being showcased at the Lacombe Performing Arts Centre (LPAC) through to Feb. 28.
The 'Fabulous@40+ Project' features the work of Sherry Penner.
"The goal was to photograph 40 women over the age of 40 showing them how beautiful they really are and offering each an option to have one of their portraits edited in Sherry's signature art style," noted a description of the exhibit.
"This could be themed or digitally painted. The project grew beyond the original 40 participants, and lasted for four seasons; in total 123 women were photographed for the project, and 100 unique art projects were created."
Alison Clayton, LPAC's exhibit coordinator, said that Penner also started to blog about her photo subjects as well, as there were so many great stories to tell as the project took shape.
"I really enjoy the portraiture," she said of Penner's collection. "My major in college was photography, so every time I walk by this I see something different. There are a couple of ones that always catch my eye. They are very compelling - I also recognize some of the faces, although I don't know them personally.
"I now see this side of them and can celebrate them in a different way."
She said the related blog stories are also very inspiring and moving to read.
"There is a lot of power, and a lot of strength that goes into not only the photography - and the skill that goes into that - but also in the women who had the courage to pose, and stand in front of the camera."
Clayton also pointed out that February is the Exposure Photography Festival in Alberta.
"The annual Exposure Photography Festival presents exhibitions that showcase photographic work by internationally renowned practitioners, alongside emerging and established talent from Alberta. The festival provides an exciting, innovative meeting place for photographers and art lovers to connect with one another, along with curators and photography professionals from around the world," noted the website.
Clayton said the LPAC is the only Central Alberta exhibiting gallery for the initiative.
"So we are really excited to be a part of that."
Meanwhile, on her website, Penner describes her unique approach to her means of artistic expression.
"When the digital age of photography came upon us I discovered I could indeed create the artistic images that floated around in my head as real as I wanted with photography and photoshop.
"This is my unique style of photography, a mix of art and portraiture."
