“507”: This photograph by C.a. Shofed is part of “Inspired by Optimism,” his dual exhibition with Jane Zamost, on view at the Arts Council of Princeton April 8 through May 6. An opening reception is on Saturday, April 8 from 3 to 5 p.m.

In the making of “Inspired by Optimism,” on view April 8 through May 6 at the Arts Council of Princeton, artists C.a. Shofed and Jane Zamost said they began to explore what optimism looks like … its color, value, image and movement.  Does it exist during life’s positive moments or perhaps, the most challenging? 

Color, said Shofed, dominates his work. “Bright, vibrant, saturated color,” he said. “It denotes new birth and rejuvenation. Things old can be made new again. When looking at my works, my hope is that the viewer is reminded that anything is possible.

For Zamost, it’s about capturing the moment. “I want you to feel the complexity of life and the enormous possibilities it holds by the movement of my strokes, the richness of my materials, the depth of my many layers,” she said. “May you feel my joy and sadness, excitement and frustration — know that each of these emotions is touched by my belief that hope always exists in this imperfect world of ours.”

Shofed studied advertising design in college. “It was college that first exposed me to photography,” he said. Before he had a real chance to explore photography as a career, he took a summer job as a computer installer and never looked back. “I spent the next 25 years as an IT professional. Although my professional life had focused on technology, I maintained an interest in photography, always carrying my camera with me, taking photographs whenever the opportunity presented itself or whenever a particular scene or object inspired me.”

After moving to Trenton, Shofed noticed the city’s vibrant, raw art scene. He began volunteering at
Artworks Trenton becoming highly involved in Art All Night.  Sometime after his second kidney transplant, he made the decision that he was not going back to his 9 to 5, he would make art his career by becoming a fine art photographer. “I’m surrounded and supported by the best art community in the country here in Trenton,” he said. “There is no better place then right here to start this new chapter in my life.”

Zamost is a painter and mixed media artist intrigued with the healing arts and its effect on the human spirit. She has gained community recognition for her involvement in the healing arts leading workshops and creating artworks that inspire optimism, calm, and social justice.  Formerly, Zamost was the healing arts program coordinator at Capital Health; one of the founding partners of LUX Gallery; and in her earlier career, senior vice president at Projects In Knowledge, a medical education/communications company. she graduated from Rutgers University; studied at Mason Gross School of the Arts; and, in London, England, the Sir John Cass School of Art and the London Polytechnic. Jane’s works have been exhibited in more than 60 art exhibits.

An opening reception is on Saturday, April 8 from 3 to 5 p.m.

The Arts Council of Princeton is at 102 Witherspoon Street. For more information, visit artscouncilofprinceton.org.