Let your eye wander and connect the textures, colors, and presence of light.  Savor the softness of feathers, the edges of ice, the smell of the forest green, the colors of birds or flowers, the feeling of warm sunshine on your skin, the sound of rushing waters, or feeling the earth under your feet. 

​For your aesthetic pleasure we present a virtual and visual experience - a new collaborative exhibition juxtaposing the paintings of April Popko and the photographs of her former professor and mentor, Dr. Stephen C. Wood. 

Stephen C. Wood  |  Photographer

"I began to work in photography while an undergraduate college student. I took a job at a photo studio and soon needed to keep the job to pay for my new hobby – photography.  Since that beginning in the mid 1960’s to this day, photography has been an important avocation for me. I view my photography as not a journalistic record of what is, but a more artistic, interpretive approach to the world around us. As such, my photography has frequently exhibited and won many awards in both color and black & white.  I specialize in landscapes, wildlife, but also work in commercial settings, portraits, and macro photography. I am constantly amazed at how others view and interpret my work. I find that process energizing.  Little did I know that I would come to this artistic intersection with a former university student, April Popko, whose paintings are magnificent.  Over time, we began to see similarities in how we used colors, tone, shapes, subjects and when she suggested a joint virtual exhibit, I was thrilled. This joint venture is an exciting cap to decades of pursuing my love of photography as an artistic expression."    - Stephen C. Wood
“Former professor, mentor, and dear friend, Dr. Stephen Wood, has inspired and supported me since the 1990s.  Wood is responsible for great successes within the Communications Department at the University of Rhode Island where I double-majored, parallel to my Elementary Education degree. In 1998,  Dr. Wood gave me the opportunity to study abroad in Queensland, Australia, which turned out to be one of the most outstanding experiences of my lifetime. My gratitude for this opportunity continues today... and with great admiration for him, we now connect as fellow artists.  He (as an award-winning photographer) and I (as an abstract painter) share our perspectives of the world combining our crafts through a virtual exhibition. This on-going project has been carefully curated by the talents of Armenian film-maker and director, Melanya Hamasyan. The images you see, create a discourse between my acrylic paintings and Steve's photographs. 

Together, we introduce artistic pairings of the photographs and paintings, which complement each another through color, texture and light.  The juxtaposed paintings and photographs are meant to highlight the essences of each.  Inspired by nature, we chose to present images from four categories: Elements, Flora & Fauna, Landscapes, and Human Presence as part of the overarching theme of LIFE ON EARTH. " - April Popko

APRIL POPKO  |  PAINTER​

more about the artists: 

Stephen Wood has exhibited award-winning photographs at the Wickford Art Association, Westerly Artists’ Co-op, South County Art Association, URI Library Gallery, Back Yard Card & Print Gallery, Cross’ Mills Public Library, Gilbert Stuart Museum, and South County Museum.  

His work appears in many magazines including South County Style, Southern Rhode Island Vacation Planner, Down East and Newport Life Magazine. His images have supported the Rhode Island Land Trust, the Washington County Coalition of Children, and Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island.

For more information on Dr. Stephen Wood's photography, please visit here:  photobywood.zenfolio.com
American artist, April Popko, has lived and worked from her Prague 5 studio since 2003.  Popko comes from a multi-generational family of artists, and is inspired by nature to communicate her experiences of living between two worlds.  She focuses on transferring energy through art to bring positivity and light through vibrant, abstract, acrylic paintings.  

Born in Massachusetts, April Popko has presented her work in solo exhibitions for the United States, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, and beyond.  Popko is a featured artist in local and international publications and magazines. She has exhibited for group shows as an active member of the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, home to the country's oldest art community.  She also uses her art to support charities and organizations, to promote communication and connectedness. ​