(Posted April 18, 2005)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Mark Conti, a regionally renowned landscape photographer whose recent work brings the human figure into the landscape frame, will exhibit his latest work in an exhibition at the Juniata College Museum of Art opening Friday, April 22 and continues through Sept. 10.

There will be an opening reception for the exhibition from 5 to 6:30 p.m., Friday, April 22. The reception is free and open to the public.

"Photographs -- Mark Conti" features primarily black and white photographs, taken with a variety of cameras. Conti often uses the human figure to create unnatural contrasts between landscape elements and the human body. "These effects heighten the notion of human isolation from the environment by working on the subject in such a way as to make the figure monumental and "unreal.' These images force us to question our body and its image and place in the modern world," says Conti in his artist's statement.

Conti is originally from Philadelphia, Pa. and currently lives in southeastern Pennsylvania. He is a 1975 graduate of Juniata College and started his art career here with a one-person show during his senior year. He also was photography editor of the yearbook and continues to do commercial photography and portraiture.

He has studied with a variety of art photographers, including Art Kane, Larry Fink, Linda Connor and George Tice. He has had a variety of one-person shows, including the Salon Gallery in Reading, Pa., the Cape May Photographic Workshop and the American Institute of Architects. He also has participated in group shows at the Artist Benefit Show at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill (Pa.). He also has exhibited his work previously at Juniata in exhibitions in 1978, 1992 and 1995.

Conti also will provide a wine-and-cheese gallery tour of his exhibition during the college's Alumni Weekend at 4 p.m., Saturday, June 4.

The Juniata College Museum of Art is located in historic Carnegie Hall at 17th and Moore streets in Huntingdon. Museum hours until May 1 are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Museum hours starting May 1 are Wednesday through Friday, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, please call the museum at (814) 641-3505, or visit the Juniata College Web site at http://www.juniata.edu/museum.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.