“One Of A Kind: Tunes Framed in Time”

     Live concert photographs by Auburn resident Art Wenzel will be shared and shown at the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce in December. Images can be seen Mondays through Fridays from 9-5 from Dec. 4 thru Dec. 29 in the Chamber lobby at 36 South Street, Auburn.

     Wenzel, who began his journalism career while actually promoting concerts in the early 80’s, got involved with concert photography once he started previewing and reviewing many of the major concerts that were happening in the Finger Lakes region.

     “Bands publicists and managers were contacting me to cover their shows for the newspaper,” said Wenzel of his direction to photography. “Going through proper channels, and it became somewhat of a hobby while still enjoying the music”.

     Wenzel covered the music scene for 20 years from 1981 to 2001 for such newspapers as The Ithaca Journal, Point Blank and the Auburn weekly The Record and daily The Citizen.

     “At many of these concerts I would be the only photographer allowed to shoot in the front row or to even be permitted with a camera”, he explained. “Thusly, the title for the show - ‘ One Of A Kind’. Very few had access like this. Nice perks, and great tunes”.

     “Now, everyone walks in with a cell phone camera or what have you", he elaborated. "Times certainly have changed”.

     “Tunes Framed In Time” includes a cross-section of the music industry elite - from jazz to country, rock to blues - from Toronto to Saratoga Springs, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Wenzel's favorite images are of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Miles Davis, Susan Tedeschi, ZZ Top and Sting, to name a few.

     His pictures of such artists as B.B. King, The Beach Boys, SRV and many others are in many private collections.

     Artists on display include: Chrissie Hynde, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, Eddie Van Halen, John Fogerty, Huey Lewis, David Coverdale, Barbara Mandrell, Steve Morse, Joe Cocker, Eddie Money, Reba McEntire, Steven Tyler, Pat Benatar, Joe Walsh, John Popper, Melissa Etheridge, Johnny Winter, J. Geils, Dave Matthews, Paul Barrere, George Benson, Ben Harper, Chick Corea, Bo Diddley and many others.

     He would eventually like to publish a table-top book with happy people, smiling and enjoying life‚ whether Auburnians or musicians.

     An Opening Meet & Greet Reception will be held with Wenzel from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6th at the Chamber Lobby.

     Groups or individuals interested in exhibiting at the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce are encouraged to call 253-5288.