Celebrating Local Art and Community
A Look Back at Photo Opp’s From Our Street Gallery Opening Night
On October 19th, Photo Opp welcomed over 180 community members to celebrate the grand opening of our From Our Street Gallery, and our first big event at our newly renovated community studio space. The atmosphere was electric, as attendees gathered to connect with the stories behind the images, admire each artist’s unique perspective, explore our building, and support the arts. This special night marked a significant achievement, as we raised an incredible $12,000 to fund our 2025 programming—an accomplishment we couldn’t have achieved without our supporters.
**Thank you to Aaron Jankowski for taking portraits for attendees at the event!
A Community-Centered Approach to Street Photography
The From Our Street gallery focuses on street photography that captures clean, funny, and moody moments, revealing the story within everyday scenes. The gallery features three celebrated local photographers—Tyler Gajewski, Char Brandis, and Billy Hintz—who are known for their distinctive approach to street photography. Alongside their work, the gallery showcases images submitted by other local artists, selected through an open submission and blind judging process.
In an effort to ensure that the From Our Street Gallery was truly community-oriented, we made accessibility a priority. Entry was free, there were no costs to print or frame selected images, and the opening night event was free to attend for photographers in the gallery. The response was overwhelming: 168 images were submitted by 58 photographers from around the state, each bringing their own interpretation of street photography. Ultimately, 18 artists were featured in the gallery. But we wanted every photographer’s voice to be heard, so we created a zine to include at least one image from each person who submitted work.
Get a copy of our From Our Streets zine!
Supporting the Future of Local Arts
The From Our Street Gallery is more than just an exhibition; it’s a celebration of the talent and diversity of voices in our community. Each photograph tells a story that draws us in and deepens our understanding of the world from different perspectives. With the funds raised on opening night, we’re excited to continue expanding Photo Opp’s programs in 2025 to help visual storytellers connect, grow, and share their work with the world.
The gallery will be open to the public starting October 27th on Tuesdays: 10:00 AM-7:00 PM, Fridays: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM, and Sundays: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM and will remain open through the end of the year. We encourage everyone to come by, explore the incredible artistry on display, and support our vibrant creative community. Thank you to everyone who helped make this night unforgettable. Together, we’re not just celebrating art—we’re building a lasting community for artists to thrive.
Would you like to support a community and education hub for the art of photo and video? Make a donation today to support Photo Opp’s 2025 programming!