Albany, NY (March 15, 2001) - - - Rev. Michael A. Farano, chairman of the Albany County Airport Authority today announced that the Albany International Airport will host the area's The 23rd Photography Regional beginning April 2nd. The program will be on display through June 30th in the Airport's Gallery, located on the third floor of the terminal.

The 23rd Photography Regional is a photo competition exhibit that is open to all photographers, both amateur and professional, within a 150-mile radius of Albany. The exhibit, organized by the Airport's Art and Culture program, presents an opportunity to showcase contemporary work of local photographers to travelers and visitors to the Airport's Art Gallery.

Photographers for the exhibit were selected by curator Charles Stainback, the Dayton director of the Tang Museum and professor of Liberal Studies at Skidmore College. Prior to coming to Skidmore, Mr. Stainback served for eight years as the director of the International Center of Photography in New York City. Over the past 10 years Mr. Stainback has addressed issues of contemporary art, authored several books and organized and curated a wide range of exhibitions.

"Over the past several decades the notion of photography has changed drastically, not only with the advent of new technologies, but more importantly with artists and photographers redefining what is photographic," said Stainback. "Today it is not that abnormal for people looking at pictures produced by the camera or some related imaging system to speculate; is this "still photography?"

Two Airport events will highlight the Photography Regional. On Thursday, April 12, at 6:30 p.m., the public is invited to attend a Juror's Lecture during which Charles Stainback will discuss "Still Photography - the ways in which today's photographs are more than just pictures." The awards ceremony and public reception will follow at 7:30 p.m. Both events will take place on the terminal's third floor Observation Level.

The Albany International Airport will be awarding five cash prizes to the winners of the event. The first place photographer will receive $500, second place $300, third place $200 and two honorary mentions of $50 each.

The Photography Regional began as a partnership between The Albany Center Galleries and The Arts Center of the Capital Region. After 23 years it continues to be an excellent opportunity for artists working with photography to have their work reviewed by an outstanding professional in the field.

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