Photos springing up around the city

You might have noticed a slew of photographs dominating the walls of your favourite eateries, establishments and galleries in Mississauga over the last few days.
The works are being hung as part of the ongoing A Month of Photography festival, now in its third year. The exhibition happens at various locations across Mississauga and Brampton, including restaurants, businesses and established galleries such as the Art Gallery of Mississauga and The Village Gallery.
The festival aims to expand the understanding and appreciation of photography as an artistic medium while developing and promoting artists, according to co-ordinator Fausta Facciponte. It runs until the end of September.
At the Enfield Fox, six photographers are showing their works at the Snap Shot part of the exhibition. They include Nikki Wesley, Heidi Evans, Andrew Povilaitis, Dan Guerin, Claudette Mainzer and Nathan Hakeem.
Wesley, a staff photographer with The Mississauga News, said she was thrilled to be participating in her first exhibition.
"It's exciting, but nerve-wracking," laughed Wesley. "Most of the work (on display) has been unofficially dubbed as 'do you see how I see?'"
Also in show is Heidi Evans, who has 22 pieces on display. She described her works as "digital abstract impressionism.
"All the photographs show different types of lights - fire, LEDs and even street lights - and they portray a different feeling from what they actually are," said Evans.
Over at the Art Gallery of Mississauga is the Mike Hansen exhibition Hoi Polloi.
The Toronto-based photographer's work can be viewed as a comment on the fact that photography is perhaps the most visceral and direct link between celebrities and the public, and that isn't always a good thing. With more and more people clamouring to catch celebrities at their worst, or at least watch almost every aspect of their glitzy lives, it's a sad comment on modern society, he argues.
The installation will also include a red carpet, stanchions and flash bulbs.
At the Peel Heritage Complex, local photographer Marissa Neave will be joined by Guerin, a Streetsville resident. The exhibition happens at the Whitney Community Gallery and also includes works from Chris Blanchenot and Paul Teolis.
On Saturday, Sept. 29, the Camera Works aspect of the festival opens with a reception at the Living Arts Centre's Laidlaw Hall Gallery. The opening runs from 1-3 p.m.
The exhibit will feature an eclectic mix of styles and techniques by both established and emerging artists and includes traditional and modern works as well as documentary and other practices.
For the complete festival catalogue, visit www.amonthofphotography.org.

cclay@mississauga.net