As the deadline for submissions to PhotoArt Fest II at Jeff Fest (www.jefffest.org) quickly comes to an end, (June 12), I would like to introduce our panel of Jurors. This group of 5 artists is donating their time to judge the C3 photo show.
Jill Arena is an illustrator and graphic artist celebrated for her vivid imagery and extraordinary use of color. She is an illustrator of children’s books, including Playing Loteria, which won the Best International Hispanic Book Award.
Co-owner of Arena Design and Illustration, Jill has worked directly with clients to develop industry-leading branding and marketing solutions. Her whimsical paintings have appeared in publications including Print Magazine, Best of Restaurant Design 1, 2 & 3, Martha Stewart, and InStyle magazines.
She currently works at Loyola Press as the creative director in the Design and Production Department. She recently won the Catholic Publishers 2012 Best Book of the Year Award and an Excellence in Publishing Award from ACP.
From a public art perspective, Jill was the artist on the very popular Police Memorial Mural titled “End of Watch” and has contributed many designs to other public art projects, such as the “First Responders” Memorial Mural at the corner of Sunnyside and Milwaukee Ave., “Jazz, Jefferson Park” at Avondale and Lawrence, and the “Silent Movie Mural” at 4037 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Her commitment to the arts was recognized last year by Governor Pat Quinn when he appointed her to the Illinois Arts Council.
Ron Gould (www.rongouldstudios.com) has owned and operated a commercial studio in Chicago for over 30 years. He is president emeritus of the American Society of Media Photographers, Chicago/Midwest Chapter, and spent 13 years as a board member.
Gould is a member of the International Association of Panoramic Photographers and the American Society of Picture Professionals. He’s been teaching Digital Photography at Harrington College of Design for over 10 years and spent the summer of 2013 in Paris teaching Travel/Stock Photography. His studio specializes in corporate location photography concentrating on annual report, corporate event, executive portrait, celebrity, and political photography.
Heidi Kohz (www.heidikohz.com) has diverse experience in both the arts and office management. Heidi has a background in dance, a degree in music performance, and has been involved in both theater and photography. Heidi also has 15 years of experience as an office manager and executive assistant, which has made her a well-rounded gal. Heidi served as executive director for the Chicago Photography Center for two years and now serves as its administrative coordinator. You can find Heidi volunteering throughout the community, attending any number of cultural events, or just wandering around the great city of Chicago capturing life through the lens of her camera.
Peter Panayiotou (www.panayiotou.com) started his photographic career in his hometown of Bristol, England, as an assistant to a photographer/artist who became his mentor.
After moving to the U.S., he built up a commercial photography business, which has taken him around the country and around the world for his clients, including Fortune 500 companies.
His award-winning work has been used in advertising, annual reports, brochures, multi-image shows, videos, TV, web sites, calendars, posters, and textbooks. His personal work includes landscapes, nudes, and abstracts.
Many of his images exhibit his signature style of dramatic lighting and composition, which give his work its visual impact. Some of his travel and fine art images are also featured on his website.
He has been represented by Flatfile Galleries, Chicago, and Perspective Gallery, Evanston, and his prints are held in many private and corporate collections.
Victor Powell (www.powellphotography.com) is a true visionary at his craft. His enthusiasm and excitement are still very apparent, even after 37+ years in the photography/creative services industry. The world of creative services has changed immensely in the recent years. The line between the disciplines has all but disappeared requiring a greater understanding of how the digital visual marketing tools are created and used. Victor has been able to incorporate his skills and knowledge to adapt to these changes and expand his skillset to include photography, video, and multimedia production to his workflow to produce amazing results.
As a producer/creative director of multi-faceted projects, Victor understands the flow and connections of the various creative processes to create a system that maintains the quality, consistency, and cost effectiveness of all of the creative service elements of a project. His begin-from-the- end process creates the controls needed to ensure that the creative service elements stay consistent the needs of the marketing goals now and in the future. His excitement about his work is easily transferred to his clients, and it allows them to also “catch the vision” and become “fired up” about whatever project they are working on. He truly enjoys his life’s vocation.
To submit to PhotoArt Fest II, go to: