Surfacing: Photography by Barb Stimac

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio—6 November 2009—Notre Dame College’s Clara Fritzsche Library will host “Surfacing,” an exhibit of photographs by local artist Barb Stimac. The exhibit is free and open to the public and will run from Nov. 20 through Dec. 17. An opening reception will be held on Friday, Nov. 20 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Stimac‘s photographs offer a fresh and unique perspective by focusing on normally unnoticed details and textures in our everyday surroundings. A product of Catholic elementary and secondary education, Stimac graduated from Kent State University with a B.A. in Visual Arts. She is employed full-time at American Greetings, where she has worked for 13 years in various departments as a graphic designer.

Always interested in photography, Stimac started taking photographs a few years ago. Over the years working as a graphic designer, she tends to see everything around her in a “graphic” way, finding interesting texture and objects in her everyday surroundings and capturing them through interesting cropping or composition.

Stimac uses her “graphic eye” when composing a shot, focusing on the contrasting surface textures, vibrant colors and repetitive design elements of the subject. In some close up shots, she tries to create an element of intrigue to keep viewers guessing as to what the subject matter really is. Although skilled at using Photoshop, Stimac prefers “raw” or un-retouched photographs, with no enhancements necessary to elevate the artistic effect.

Her main source of inspiration has been the impressive variety of artwork by her colleagues at American Greetings and the help and encouragement they have offered her. Stimac exhibited some of her photographs in two American Greetings annual juried art shows where her flair for composition received favorable feedback from the judges. She has also had two exhibitions of her work in the American Greetings Corporate Gallery and two art shows at Grumpy’s Cafe in Tremont.

A lifelong Clevelander, Stimac currently resides in North Royalton. Her exhibit may be viewed during library hours: Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; and Sundays from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. 

Notre Dame College is located at 4545 College Road in South Euclid. For more information about the exhibit and holiday hours after Dec. 12, contact Karen Zoller, director of the Clara Fritzsche Library, at 216.373.5267 or check the library website at www.NotreDameCollege.edu/library.   

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Notre Dame College, a Catholic institution in the tradition of the Sisters of Notre Dame, educates a diverse population in the liberal arts for personal, professional and global responsibility. NDC offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus interdisciplinary programs and self-designed majors. A master’s degree in education and a teacher certification program are available as well as continuing and professional development programs for adult learners and one of greater Cleveland’s oldest weekend colleges. Notre Dame College offers 21 athletic programs for men and women, including football, which debuted in fall 2009.