Portrait of Those Who Inspire

Hagerstown, MD – Budding photographers from Barbara Ingram School for the Arts (BISFA), Photography and Cinematography Department and Hagerstown Community College (HCC), along with young artists from county elementary and middle schools, will showcase their talents in a new exhibition, "Photographic Portraits of Those Who Inspire," opening with a reception on April 3, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Washington County Arts Council, located at 34 S. Potomac St., Suite #100, Hagerstown, MD 21740. The exhibit, inspired by the National Portrait Gallery's "Picturing the Presidents Exhibition," features portraits capturing individuals who embody inspiring qualities.

Approximately 50 students from the BISFA Photography and Cinematography Program and the HCC Photography Class, along with instructors Audra Haddock-Martenot (HCC) and Kristen Green (BISFA), have contributed to the collection. Renowned artists Jillian MacMaster and Saskia Kahn will also be featured as BISFA Master Class Artists. The exhibition will also showcase the work of 10 talented elementary and middle school students from across Washington County.

"Photographic Portraits of Those Who Inspire" encourages students to explore the multifaceted concept of inspiration. Participants were challenged to identify the qualities that make someone inspiring and translate those observations into compelling photographic portraits. The resulting exhibition presents a diverse range of subjects who inspire young artists.

This student exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the power of portraiture to capture not just a likeness, but also the essence of an individual's impact.

The exhibit will run from April 3, 2025, to April 29, 2025.