Drive by gallery to benefit local food bank

Posted 5/12/20

A group of local photographers is preparing a unique gallery, specially made for those socially distancing during the pandemic and all to benefit Powell’s emergency food bank.

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Drive by gallery to benefit local food bank

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A group of local photographers is preparing a unique gallery, specially made for those socially distancing during the pandemic and all to benefit Powell’s emergency food bank.

The Drive By Gallery — which opens Saturday at Aldrich Lumber on East First Street from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — will feature 5-foot photos from 10 photographers.

Pat Honstain, who has been an active photographer in the region for the past 40-plus years, came up with the idea of printing extremely large photographs so area art lovers have a chance to see the work without getting out of the car. Plus, Honstain said Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes “really needs the help right now because they’re putting out record amounts of food.”

“Everybody just needs to do what they can do to help out,” he said. “That’s really what it’s all about.”

One of the special problems for this type of gallery was the need for a large outdoor venue capable of handling 50-feet photos easily seen from the road. That’s when Ken VanGrinsven stepped in to offer the side of the Aldrich building.

Honstain then needed a local company that was both capable of making the prints and had a heart of gold to do the expensive prints “at cost.” Chris and Bonnie Jensen, of BJ’s Matting and Framing came to the rescue.

Finally, Honstain started calling photographers. He met his quota in the first nine calls.

“There are some amazing photographers around this part of the country — many more than we have room for,” he said.

The show will feature work by Craig Satterlee, Rob Koelling, Kathy Lichtendahl, Rhi Morlan, Morgan Tyree, Dennis Davis, Kristi Jensen, Mark Davis, Rowene Weems and Honstain.

Weems was being nostalgic when she picked a print for the gallery. She selected a nighttime photograph of the midway at the Park County Fair, because it illustrates the importance of the Powell community “at its best.”

“This is a fun, playful idea for the community,” she said of the gallery. “It’s a unique way of giving back.”

Lloyd and Peggy Snyder of Powell Valley Loaves and Fishes will have a donation area set up so folks won’t even have to get out of the car to contribute. They hope people will come by and donate commercially prepared cans and packaged foods or money.

At the Powell food pantry, “we’re anticipating a busy summer,” Peggy said. Further, the U.S. Postal Service’s annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive — which usually takes place in May — has been postponed this year due to COVID-19 concerns.

Those hoping to donate who have a large available spot on their wall at their home or business can also help by bidding on the photographs at a website set up by Honstain. All proceeds will go to the food bank.

“Our community helps in many, many ways,” Peggy said.

Honstain added that, “The thing that you keep seeing over and over is we’re all in this together. And that’s the bottom line.”

If it rains on Saturday, the group will try the outdoor gallery again on Saturday, May 23.

To view the artwork and make bids, visit https://drivebygallery.wordpress.com/auction/.

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