DANBURY — Through Thursday, October 24, The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is presenting seven exhibitions in public and private spaces in Danbury and Bethel. Accessible Art is a “year-long, multi-site series of exhibitions joining business with art,” according to information provided by Cultural Alliance. The project allows artists to show their works in alternative spaces, making them more available to the general public.

Among the seven artists taking part in the August-September Accessible Art exhibits is Hawleyville photographer Tara Tomaselli. “Coastal Colors” is a show of 12 of Ms Tomaselli’s photographs highlighting the primary colors of coastal scenery in New England. “Coastal Colors” consists of images that identify with New England, she said.

“It’s the buoy, boats, and the buildings. With this group show, I’m pulling out the images with the vibrancy of the colors.”

The collection will be on view in the front lobby of Visual Impact, a framing, printing and graphic display company located at 12 Finance Drive in Danbury.

A graduate of Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., with a BS in art education, Ms Tomaselli also holds an MS in studio art (painting) and a graduate certificate in art museum education from the College of New Rochelle in New York.

Although she has over 20 years of experience in the arts industry, she is a relative newcomer to photography.

“The summer of 2011, I bought a digital camera. I had taken photographs for work, but I wasn’t doing much art for myself. So I decided to jump into photography,” she said. An eight-day solo exploration of Maine gave her several of her initial images, some of which she continues to show.

She was pleased with the results she was getting from her Nikon Coolpix, and decided to enter a photograph in a Saratoga Springs Exhibit.

“Another photographer bought it. It was so flattering,” said Ms Tomaselli.

She continued entering “a work or two” in group exhibits, and began bringing her photographs to art festivals around the region. In 2013, she was awarded first place for photography in the Annual Juried Art Show & Sale at Richter Art Center in Danbury.

Solo exhibits include ones at Portofino Restaurant and at Molten Java, in Bethel; and at Tazza Café in Ridgefield, as part of Art Walk Ridgefield. “Coastal Colors” will be her first solo exhibition this year.

“Photography really kicked into gear for me a year ago,” said Ms Tomaselli, “when I did the 2014 exhibit through Cultural Alliance. I sold a few photographs, and it was my first big solo show. The Cultural Alliance is a great opportunity for a solo exhibit.”

The coastline of New England provided her with her first images, and she continues to enjoy photographing the vivid colors — and subtle palettes — of coastal areas. In her artist’s statement provided to Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut, Ms Tomaselli says, “Coastal towns have inspired me as an artist and photographer to capture and preserve beautiful moments and imagery. From seashells to seascapes, buoys to boats, and a variety of weathered architecture, I am drawn to the vibrant colors and captivating grays.”

“I focused on the things that spoke to me,” said Ms Tomaselli. Besides the coast, she has discovered another genre speaking her language. “I love to photograph rusted objects. I love old cars, trucks, mechanical objects, and relics. I like objects that tell a story about the past, and things that were around before my time. I’m always on the hunt for new and exciting images to photograph,” said Ms Tomaselli.

She is planning a closing reception to wrap up the Visual Impact exhibit, and is looking forward to upcoming festivals and shows, including Newtown Arts Festival at Fairfield Hills, in September.

For more information about Ms Tomaselli and a complete listing of upcoming exhibitions and festivals, visit www.TomaselliPhoto.com. The public is welcome to visit Visual Impact during regular business hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am-5:30 pm.