“ABINGTON”: Photographs by Trenton artist C.a. Shofed, whose work is shown here, and Clinton Thornton-Casanova will be the subject of a “Third Thursdays” presentation and artists talk on February 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Mercer County Community College’s James Kerney Campus Gallery in Trenton. The public is invited in person or via Zoom. Register at JKCGallery.online.

“Third Thursdays,” the monthly photography presentation and artist talk series at Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC’s) James Kerney Campus (JKC) Gallery at 137 North Broad Street in Trenton, will take place on February 17 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The event, curated by Heather Palecek and Habiyb Shu’Aib, will feature works by C.a. Shofed and Clinton Thornton-Casanova. The talk will be hosted by JKC Gallery Director Michael Chovan-Dalton and will take place live and on the Zoom conferencing platform. All are invited to register at jkcgallery.online.

Chovan-Calton said, “Our ‘Third Thursdays’ events at JKC Gallery have been growing by leaps and bounds. This month we feature returning artist C.a. Shofed from Trenton who will be sharing his abstract scenes and reflections, along with Clinton Thornton-Casanova who will be joining us remotely from Switzerland to discuss astrophotography and environmental and studio portraiture.”

Shofed is owner of Amphora Artworks in Trenton. While much of his professional life has been spent in technology, he has always maintained an interest in photography.

After moving from Hopewell to Trenton, Shofed noticed the city’s vibrant, raw art scene. He decided not to return to his 9-5 job and pursue a career as a fine art photographer.

“I’m surrounded and supported by the best art community in the country here in Trenton,” said Shofed. “There is no better place than right here to start this new chapter in my life.”

Pushing the boundaries of photography and his camera, Shofed said that he is not as concerned with perfection and technicality as he is with capturing a moment. He explained, “Increasingly my eye has been pulled towards abstract scenes, how reflections in pools of water or in the glass landscape of large cities brighten or distort colors and shapes.”

Based in Horgen, Switzerland, photographer Thornton-Casanova will be discussing and sharing his works from his home country of Switzerland. His creations consist of environmental and studio portraiture and astrophotography. While studio portraits take up his days, he said, “when the night falls, on a perfectly dark moonless night I set up my telescope and cameras to capture very old and faint light from thousands — sometimes millions — of light years away.”

Thornton-Casanova’s late-night works are compositions that capture the imagination. An incredible amount of dedication and patience are required to complete his astrophotography creations.

“I use both digital and film for my day and astrophotography work,” Thornton-Casanova said. “Using film for astrophotography is a challenge. I get the same results with a digital camera in three minutes; with film it takes over an hour. But this is art.”

For information about registration and/or attending in person, visit JKCGallery.online.