Memorial Exhibit At Booth Library

Will Honor Arthur A. Anderson

A special exhibit displaying the photographic genius of Arthur A. Anderson, MNEC, will be presented at C.H. Booth Library in Newtown, October 3-30.

Mr Anderson, a longtime resident of Newtown, lost his battle with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease on June 23 of this year. Many residents and friends of Art will remember the many exhibits he has had over the years.

As a youth growing up in the Hudson River Valley, Mr Anderson was influenced by his artist-photographer father and the scenic views that surrounded him. He began entering photographic competitions during his Army service in Korea, and after returning home, he attended the Germain School of Photography in New York City.

Art was employed for many years as a draftsman-designer, and started his photographic career as a wedding and portrait photographer. However, his primary passion was taking images of nature, still life, and subjects he referred to as “Vanishing Americana.”

For ten years, he was a featured photographer for calendars published by Hemmings Motor News, shooting scenes of abandoned tractors he would find in his travels along the back roads of Connecticut and New York.

Mr Anderson’s photographic interests changed as his experience grew. Over the years, he moved from color slides and prints to black and white, to infrared, and he had recently begun digital work. His theme for his striking black and white still life work was “Abstract Reality,” and his objective was to present the viewer with an image that “intrigued the mind.”

A longtime member of Candlewood Camera Club in Danbury, Mr Anderson served as its President for several years, and was its representative to New England Camera Club Council (NECCC) for sixteen years.

He was also a founder and member of the Flagpole Photographers of Newtown.

Mr Anderson willingly shared his interest in photography. He was humble about his own work, but generously offered his advice and expertise to others in his calm and patient manner.  

Mr Anderson’s photographs were displayed at numerous exhibits throughout western Connecticut and his work was recognized with many awards, often placing Best in Show or First Place. He was recently honored by the NECCC Executive Board as a Master Member, an award that is given to only five photographers throughout all of New England each year.

Far more than a photographer, Mr Anderson had many friends who admired his compassion, kindness, and wit. He enjoyed other interests including his Friday lunches with the ROMEOs group (Retired Old Men Eating Out), his monthly poker games and his weekly ballroom dancing.

Mr Anderson had a special relationship with the images he placed within his camera’s focus, and a mastery of light that transformed his photographs from mere pictures into memories.

Through the sale of his prints and a publication that was recently put together with several of Mr Anderson’s favorite prints which celebrates the photographic vision of Arthur Anderson, his many friends in Candlewood Camera Club and Flagpole Photographers Club wish to honor his work, and to raise awareness and funds for the ALS Foundation. The 28-page publication was also made possible thanks to the efforts, time and expertise of Ken Graff of Brookfield, a professional photographer and graphic illustrator, and one of Mr Anderson’s many friends.

The public is invited to join friends and family for an opening reception on Sunday, October 4, from 2 to 4 pm.

The exhibit can be viewed any time the library is open: Monday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 8 pm; Friday, 11 am to 8 pm; Saturday, 9:30 am to 5 pm; and Sunday, noon to 5. Call 426-4533 for additional information.