Art After Dark Part II featuring Susan Wood a smashing success

It’s not every day that a photographer with the body of work that Susan Wood has is featured in a slideshow on the side of a building on a tiny island like ours. It happened, though, on March 30, as the second in a series that celebrates the senses called “Art After Dark.” The J.McLaughlin store hosts the events, which are held for charity. Wood, a world famous photographer to the stars of movies, music, fashion, and politics, as well as a highly skilled photojournalist capturing down-to-earth happenings, was thrilled to be part of it. 

As the sun dipped into the Gulf the crowd started to gather at the side yard of the J.McLaughlin store on Park Avenue in downtown Boca Grande. Folks were gathering to experience the famous and near famous through the lens of super-star photographer Susan Wood.

The outdoor event could not have had better weather, with temperatures in the 80s and a cool breeze blowing. Ice cream cones and champaign were served to the guests who were seated in chairs facing the large white wall of the store, where a story of Susan’s photographic career would play out, something like an old fashioned drive-in movie. 

Susan, herself, was there, catching up with old friends and making new ones. She only spoke officially for a moment, thanking the overflow crowd for coming to see her work. 

Susan’s voice actually was heard at strategic times during the almost hour-long show, but these were excepts from an interview done some years ago. Program designer Anthony Catania had put together hundreds of shots with the snippets of dialogue to create a fascinating story of Susan’s work on movie sets, in the fashion world, with sports figures, and so many more situations where her camera took her behind the scenes and into intimate moments.

The recorded dialogue also provided the audience with insights regarding her techniques and approach to getting such unique shots. She revealed that she combines photographic techniques with those used by artists who paint. She spoke of being curious about many things, and especially about people, finding ways to coax them to open up to her and feel at ease enough to let her photograph “their souls.”

Caroline reported that “There were gasps from the crowd as photos of iconic people from the 60’s and 70’s were shown. Julia Child, Martha Stewart in her youth, John and Yoko, famous authors, fashion designers, actors and authors, and various film sets were presented.” Some in the audience might have been too young to recognize all the faces, but they still seemed to appreciate the stunning photography.

“J.McLaughlin and I are excited by the tremendous response to Art After Dark,” said Caroline Farrington, J.Laughlin store manager, and the person responsible for organizing the program as a cultural gift to the community. She said the Art After Dark program could become a “repeat event” if the right project for the venue is found. “It will need to appeal to our community,” she added.

“We were so grateful for the turnout and the hugely positive response,” she said. “Sometimes it takes a village to do a show like this, and Susan and I are very grateful for the help we received from members of the community.” She said many of Susan’s photographs are available to purchase, and enquiries can be addressed to Caroline at the J. McLaughlin store. Some of Susan’s work is displayed on her website: www.susanwood.com.

Caroline shared that she received calls and texts from an appreciative audience. Among some of the comments were: “A tremendous success and fabulous fun. We are already looking forward to the next event;” “What a triumph! Standing room only at the stunning show of Susan Wood’s work. We were riveted by the art and Susan’s narration. What a great night.”