Blow the Candle Flame Sideways
A collaboration in interpreting
Scriptural passages from the Gospels
Mary Shannon Johnstone Photography
Stephen Johnstone Poetry
Opening Reception, Friday
June 6 , 6-9pm
Poetry Reading, Friday
June 13
Exhibition June 4-28, 2008

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"Calvary" Mary Shannon Johnstone |
Blow the Candle Flame Sideways is a unique exhibition that features a
father’s and daughter’s collaboration in interpreting Scriptural passages from the Gospels. The exhibit features 14 pieces, each offering a contemporary visual and short poetic interpretation of a New
Testament reading.
“The Gospels are filled
with poetic imagery, and the readings are meant to be interpreted and applied in our lives.
That’s what led us to find and combine the images and words in this exhibit,” Mr. Johnstone said. He added the opportunity to work with his daughter on the exhibit, made the experience
all the more meaningful and fulfilling. Shannon’s striking and poetic images have appeared in national and international
exhibitions, and captured top honors in the North Carolina Annual Photographers competitions, as well as awards from
the Raleigh Fine Arts Society and the Durham Art Guild.
About The Artists
Mary Shannon Johnstone
Born in Milwaukee, WI, Mary Shannon
Johnstone holds an MFA in photography from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and a BFA from The School of the Art Institute
of Chicago (SAIC). Shannon has had solo exhibitions in Chicago, Rochester, and Raleigh, and won several awards in group exhibitions
across the country, including three Best in Competition awards in the North Carolina Annual Photographer's Exhibition (from
2002-2005), and an Honorable Mention in the 2004-2005 Houston Center for Photography Fellowships. Algonquin Books has selected
one of her photographs as the cover image for a novel by North Carolina
novelist Michael Parker. Shannon’s most recent awards include a 2006 Regional Artist
Project Grant from the United Arts Council and a Solo Exhibition Award at the Durham Art Guild, awarded by juror Petah Coyne.
Stephen Johnstone
Through a 40 year career in public relations, Steve Johnstone has served
some of the nation's largest companies and, in the process, written hundreds of articles, speeches and related materials
for the news media. He currently serves as executive vice president and director of public relations for the Blue Horse
advertising/public relations agency in Milwaukee, Wis.
Although neither a poet nor a Scriptural scholar, he has applied his writing skills and personal interests in Scripture to
his interpretations of the Gospels from the vantage point of a contemporary Christian. Stephen and Shannon
are currently at work on a book of their collaborative work entitled Blow the Candle
Flame Sideways.
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