In the earliest days of photography, cameras relied on ground glass — a translucent screen onto which the lens projected an image — allowing photographers to carefully focus and compose before capturing a shot.
While the technology has evolved dramatically, one group of local photographers continues to honor that tradition through its name: the Ground Glass Photography Association, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this spring.
This milestone will be marked with a special exhibition at the Rye Arts Center, on view from April 20 through May 16. An opening reception is to be held on Wednesday, April 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., and the public is invited.
“Our 50th show celebrates five decades of pursuing fine art photography, as well as the fellowship that comes with it,” said Alison Rodilosso, The Rye Record’s chief photographer and the group’s president. “Photography is often a solitary pursuit — you go out alone with your camera. That’s why it’s so meaningful to be part of a community of people who share that passion and a desire to keep learning.”
Rodilosso said the group places less emphasis on technical settings and more on artistic intent. Members focus on each photographer’s vision — what they are trying to express — and how elements like composition, light, and subject work together to communicate meaning. Their meetings center on discussion, critique, and interpretation of individual images and series.
The association includes about 40 photographers from Westchester and Fairfield counties. Members meet monthly at the Rye Arts Center, where they are in residence, to share work, host guest speakers, and organize exhibitions. Their work spans traditional darkroom practices and contemporary digital techniques, reflecting photography’s continued evolution as a fine art.
The group was founded in 1975 by Renata Rainer and a small circle of accomplished photographers who saw a gap in the region. At the time, there was no organization dedicated to fine art photography in Westchester, so they created one.
While the association mounts an exhibition each spring, this year’s show carries special significance. In conjunction with the anniversary, the Rye Arts Center will present the group with its inaugural Mosaic Award, recognizing 50 years of artistic collaboration and community impact. The award is to be presented at the center’s Studio 51 benefit on May 8.
“This show feels different because it’s our anniversary year — and to be honored with the Rye Arts Center’s first Mosaic Award, celebrating 50 years of artistic collaboration and the beauty of collective effort, is incredibly meaningful,” Rodilosso said. “It speaks to the group’s enduring contributions to the artistic community.”
She also expressed gratitude for the center’s ongoing support and to earlier Ground Glass members.
“We’re deeply grateful for our partnership with the Rye Arts Center — for giving us a place to meet, exhibit, and grow. It’s remarkable that the organization has lasted 50 years at all, and that’s thanks to so many dedicated members over time — people I’ve never even met — who kept the energy and momentum alive.”
This year’s exhibition was juried by Andrew Moore, known for his large-format photographs of abandoned and historically significant spaces. His work, often exploring themes of time, decay, and memory, is held in major institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.
Reflecting on the submissions, Moore said, “The pool of photographs presented an astonishing variety of subject matter and technical approaches. I was especially struck by the strong presence of black-and-white landscapes, the range of locations — from the exotic to the nearby — and works that were collaged or made by hand.”
He added, “Looking at this year’s selections makes me wonder what images were included in Ground Glass’s very first exhibition—and what those original participants would think of the work being shown today. What will the submissions look like for the 100th anniversary?”
