Arts & Entertainment
Amity Art Teacher, Vietnam Vet Share Spotlight
The Art in the Library program this month features the works of Jessica Zamachaj and John O'Neil.
Each month the showcases the creative works of painters, photographers, sculptors and those who work with other mediums.
This month two talented artists are displaying hand-picked selections of their work.
Jessica Zamachaj
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After years of college and earning her teaching certificate and master's degree in Art Education she began her teaching career at in 2005.
She began teaching ceramics after another teacher retired and her creativity soared.
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She enjoyed working with the students as they created three-dimensional pieces of art.
In a brochure she prepared for the opening reception, Zamachaj wrote, "Through my work with the students, constantly helping them to explore their own boundaries, I have also been personally inspired and find that my personal artwork has reached a new creative level."
"I enjoy the creative process and utiliize it to express my emotions, feelings, and hopefully convey my inspiration through my art," she wrote. "I am inspired by the things around me, whether they be nature, family, societal views or other artwork."
She has been on maternity leave with her 8 week old son, but is returning to the High School in January.
In the meantime, Zamachaj has been working on her craft at a new studio in her home, and using an outdoor pit to fire the ceramics. She said she likes throwing pottery, molding shapes with her hands and trying different techniques of working with the clay.
She lives in Seymour with her husband and son.
John O'Neil
Photographer John O'Neil's show is entitled "Zeroing In" — A true old school photographer who still uses a film camera and black and white film that he develops in a darkroom.
He shoots with his heart, scenes from Arlington National Cemetery, US Marines, faces and angles that you or I would not be able to get.
An Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he talks to many of his subjects and is able to capture the human side of the consequneces of war on film.
The photos in this exhibit were all taken during the past decade. Each one is accompanied by a card with a short story about the person, event or particular moment that is captured in the print.
O'Neil lives in Milford.
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