A Creative Pause

Dark/Light/Strength/Beauty by Kitty Hubbard

Saying goodbye can be bittersweet. As one door closes another opens. While the 2023 Fall Semester comes to an end, the beginning of an artistic experience begins.

Kitty Hubbard, photography professor at SUNY Brockport University will embark on her Sabbatical Journey.

Hubbard has been a professor at SUNY Brockport for 25 years and it’s finally time for her to take a break. Her sabbatical will be taking place during the Spring Semester of 2024 and she will be back after experiencing a variety of activities during her leave.

She has an upcoming art show that she’s been accepted into and is looking forward to once her leave begins. She will be spending time between her home in Rochester and her home in Roanoke, Virginia. “I have just installed an exhibition of my work at Gallery Salon, located at 4 Elton Street in Rochester,” said Hubbard.

Bound and Determined by Kitty Hubbard

“This exhibit features 22 photo-based images spanning over 30 years. Media ranges from film-based darkroom prints to using a scanner as a camera, camera less images such as lumen prints and cyanotypes, to digital and hybrid images. I selected images that I feel represent my ongoing evolution as an artist and woman,” said Hubbard. “The title of my show is going to be dark/ light/ strength/ beauty – Photo works by Kitty Hubbard 1985- 2023.”

Hubbard has known the owner, Erika Sorbello, for over 20 years and has been visiting the salon since its opening 18 years ago. Sorbello’s mission is to always exhibit work by local artists and was excited to work with Hubbard.

Morning Glories by David Arnold, Lumen Print

Since Brockport mandates professors to practice their work outside of classes to encourage them to hone their skills Kitty will be working during her leave.

Cyanotype by Matt Spiers

“The working title for this project is sites of inquiry,” said Hubbard. “The sites are located in Salem, Virginia, a cabin I recently inherited, and the surrounding natural environment. Family archives, artifacts, and research on the structure and land will inform and inspire the photo-based imagery made on site using a hybrid of historic and digital technologies that will result in images and book-based works that will be submitted for exhibition and publication.”

Hubbard also plans on traveling to continue her work. “Since my proposal was approved, the opportunity came to spend the month of March 2024 traveling through Vietnam with an artist friend. It’s hard to say exactly what will happen but it will be life changing. We will travel from the South (Saigon) to the North (Hanoi); by plane, train, boat, and motorcycle, including stays with families in small villages, and a community of papermakers.”

Yesterday’s Lily by Kitty Hubbard

While Hubbard is away Michael Latragna, a graduate of SUNY Brockport will be filling her spot.

“Students, while I’m away I want you to listen to Michael. He completed his BFA in Photo in 2019 and just completed his MFA at Visual Studies Workshop. He was my teaching assistant for 4 semesters and is an incredible human and artist,” said Hubbard.

After stepping back to explore her artistic journey, Hubbard will be back for the Fall Semester of 2024 with a fresh set of eyes.

Berkshire Wildflowers by Kitty Hubbard