Weaver 4-H’s Downtown Shootout
Weaver 4-H’s Photography project embarked on a new venture this past spring and participated in the local Saturday Shootout headed by local professional photographer, Jay Sousa. It all started with a small newspaper article announcing Mr. Sousa’s plan to invite amateur photographers to join him for a monthly walk around downtown Merced to take pictures. Weaver’s photography project leader, Karen Wallace saw the article and asked Mr. Sousa if he would mind her project members joining his group.
The group, known as the “Saturday Shootout”, met the first Saturday of each month beginning in February. The group met early— very early, and with the help of some Starbuck’s coffee, set out for our adventure. We were joined by several other local photographers who also answered Mr. Sousa’s invitation. During our monthly shootouts, Mr. Sousa helped with camera angles, lighting, and subject matter to photograph as he led us down the alleyways, sidewalks, and storefronts of our Main Street downtown.
It was Jay Sousa’s hope the project would conclude with a gallery showing of our work at his Gallery on the Square in Downtown Merced. In July, the planning began for our very first gallery show and on Friday, August 26th the idea became a reality with our opening reception! Along with our other Saturday Shootout friends and Mr. Sousa himself, Weaver 4-H members Gabrielle Calderon, Vanessa Mendonca, Kate Wallace, and leader Karen Wallace presented their favorite selections in the gallery. The reception was a huge success with an impressive turnout of friends, family, and the community.
If you have a chance, stop by Jay Sousa’s Galley on the Square at Bob Hart Square in downtown Merced and see the wonderful works of art we and the other members of the shootout have for sale and show. The photos will hang in Mr. Sousa’s galley for several more weeks. Please check them out!
Many thanks to Jay Sousa for his guidance, support, and encouragement throughout these past few months. We wish to also thank our new photography friends we met on our morning walks for their continual encouragement and kindness shown to us. Without all of these great people, none of this would be possible.
Submitted by Kate Wallace
8/2011