Impressions and Exposures: A Hand Magazine Exhibition | Joplin, Missouri

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Impressions and Exposures: A Hand Magazine Exhibition

Opening at the Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO

Mark your calendars: Opening November 1, 2025

Join us at the Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin for the grand opening of Impressions and Exposures: A Hand Magazine Exhibition, running through December 31, 2025 in the Sharon & Lance Beshore Gallery.

This exhibition is a celebration of photographic and visual storytelling, drawn from the pages and contributors of Hand Magazine — a publication known for its evocative imagery, explorations of light and texture, and pushing the boundaries of how photographs communicate mood and narrative.

Founded in 2013, The Hand Magazine is an international print and photography magazine based in Kansas City. The mission of The Hand is to highlight the many inventive and creative ways artists incorporate print and photo-based media into their work. As part of that mission, The Hand presents physical exhibitions in order to encourage the enjoyment of art in person. Impressions and Exposures: A Hand Magazine Exhibit invites the audience to contemplate the craft of artmaking and how individual artists express themselves amid the persistence of AI, digital creation, and mass-media.

OPENING RECEPTION

November 1, 2025 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Sharon & Lance Beshore Gallery, Spiva Center for the Arts 212 W. 7th St. Joplin, MO 64801

spivaarts.org

Miniature Museum Exhibition Opens at Gallery Q in Wisconsin

Miniature Museums Open at Gallery Q in Stevens Point, Wisconsin

By Erin Prais-Hintz, Guest Blogger

First there were little libraries. Then there were little pantries. And while miniature portraits have been popular since the 16th century, little art galleries are now popping up in both large and small communities across the nation and around the globe. Gallery Q in Stevens Point has joined the world of tiny art with their own miniature galleries: the Main Point Museum and the Q’riosity Museum.

Miniature museums and art galleries have risen in popularity since the days of the pandemic when venturing out to a crowded space was ill-advised. Free Little Art Galleries (or FLAGs) played off the Free Little Library concept and could be seen dotting neighborhoods where people were encouraged to take art and leave art. Unlike a FLAG, Tiny Art Galleries (or TAGs) and Museums are not intended as a take art/leave art concept, but rather provide a unique, immersive, and often delightful experience of art, history, and craftsmanship in small-scale creativity. Now these tiny art galleries are getting more stylized and brought into the mainstream of art appreciation.

A tiny art gallery proves that art can be powerful no matter the size. The Tiny Art Show is one such art installation gallery in Provo, UT that is built into an unused door front on University Avenue. Here they host local and national guest artists complete with tiny treats, tiny merch, and even a tiny newspaper. The Pallant House in the UK built a stylized version of their building in 2021 featuring 80 original miniature works of contemporary art, and has also hosted a Model Art Gallery of the Future show for local children to submit tiny art for display. But just because they are tiny doesn’t mean that the art is any less majestic and inspiring.

Past exhbition.

The Main Point Museum (left) and the Q’riosity Museum (right) sprang from the imagination of local artist and Gallery Q member Diane Canfield Bywaters. She constructed them out of two old barrister’s cabinets with glass front doors, adding pieces of trim from vintage mirrors and other architectural details. Each has been outfitted with real wood plank floors and LED lighting, mimicking the larger space of Gallery Q. The Main Point Museum, painted white, has recently featured paintings by Diane, photographs by Robert Rosen, and currently, mosaics by Erin Prais-Hintz.

For this new exhibit, Erin Prais-Hintz created a series of full-sized abstract mosaics called Snapshots of a Universal Truth, with the intention of making mini versions for the Main Point Museum. “I jumped at the chance to be in this exhibit space,” said Prais-Hintz. “Since I make jewelry, working small in mosaics has never been an issue.” The challenge was finding a suitable base that would fit inside the mini museum yet would allow the space to create meaningful versions of the larger works.

Erin Prais-Hintz’s miniature mosaics that represent the large scale versions.

Erin found tiny printer’s cabinet trays meant for dollhouse curio displays that were the perfect base for the mini mosaics. “When I saw the 2”x3” wooden trays with assorted openings I knew it would be perfect for this series,” she said. The finishing touch was adding some mini patrons to the tiny gallery to admire the art to scale.

The counterpoint to the Main Point Museum is the black painted Q’riosity Museum. This space has a decidedly edgier feel. Currently, the work of artist Emmalee Rathsam from Kansas City is featured. Her work consists of miniaturized versions of her surrealist self-portrait photography. All of the works in both mini museums are for sale.

Both the mayor of Stevens Point and the Portage County Business Council have recently staged ribbon cutting ceremonies to honor this unique new feature to the Gallery Q. When the Gallery Q has an opening, there are even pint-sized spreads in the mini museums to match the full size ones for the attendees.

“We are going to have a national call, and maybe even an international call for artists,” said Diane Bywaters. “People are approaching me for shows and I am very excited about it.”

These mini museums have sparked the imagination of our artists and our patrons alike. Stop by and marvel at the tiny exhibits in the Main Point Museum and the Q’riosity Museum at Gallery Q and see how tiny art can have a big impact.

“There exists a kind of magic when I look at a miniature work of art. [It] draws the viewer to a closer inspection, then closer, and closer until a level of fascination is reached. As if the entire world is shut out while life holds its breath,
enveloped in the world of a miniature work of art.” ~ Jim Pounder, quoted in Miniature Art of Australia, Past and Present

Exhbition Dates: September 19, 2025 through October 30, 2025.

Emmalee Rathsam’s miniature versions of her surrealist self-portraiture.

“The moment I saw your art I needed it. No hesitation. I have a two year old and it is for her art collection I started for her. The title, Proportions of Change”, really got me too. Thank you for bringing your visions to Stevens Point. ”
— Jessie Fritsch

Cézanne | Kansas City Gallery Exhibition Opening

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Cézanne Kansas City, an art gallery in the Crossroads, opens their First Fridays exhibit, Our First Impression, this evening and I am delighted to be a part of it with three very talented artists, Kayla Traxel, Lori Butin and Crissi Rice.

Romain Monnoyeur, originally from France, is the Executive Chef of Westport Cafe and the Food and Beverage director and Art Curator at Cézanne. A little about the exhibition in the words of Romain, “We’re reflecting on our first encounters with America—the things that inspired us, the people who helped us, and the beauty we initially saw. Today, though, our perspective has shifted. As the French saying goes, “L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux” – what’s essential is invisible to the eye. First impressions can be deceiving, and it’s important to slow down, look deeper, and see beyond the surface.

This show explores a different, more nuanced view of America—not the loud, chaotic version we often see, but one that invites introspection and new perspectives. Join us as we challenge assumptions and uncover what truly matters.”

Our First Impression Exhibition Opening | April 4, 2025 6:00pm-10:00pm

Cézanne Kansas City, 2016 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64108

EMMALEE RATHSAM Studio Grand Opening + 366 Photographs

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Join me on March 7, 2025 for the Grand Opening of my photography studio located in Downtown Kansas City on the 2nd floor of the Zhou B Art Center. For 13 years, Lawrence, Kansas was the home of my photography studio. Excited to now call Kansas City home!

The opening reception for 366 PHOTOGRAPHS, a daily photography project, will be held on March 7, 2025 from 5:00pm-8:00pm.

On New Years Day, I filled my camera with images of New York City and decided I would embark on a journey of self-discovery by creating an image each day. With 2024 being a leap year, I had the opportunity to make not only 365 images, but 366.

At the beginning of the year, I simply photographed something that brought me joy or something that documented the day. Over time my collection of daily images has expanded to include images of insects, flowers, and travel.

Discipline and a never ending search for inspiration are the two intentions that form the foundation of this project.

Please RSVP here.

Headshots + Architectural Photography + Event Photography for Ballys Casino Kansas City

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Ballys Casino, located in Kansas City, Missouri, recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony to announce the grand opening of their High Limit Room. They were in need of updated headshots for their host team, architectural photography of their newly renovated High Limit Room and photography of the event. I have enjoyed working with the team at Ballys over the last several years.

Icon International Photography Awards

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I am excited to announce that eight of my images have been recognized with awards by Icon International Photography Awards. Three images placed in the Top 10 and are finalists in their respective categories.

Icon International Photography Awards is one of the most prestigious international image competitions in the world. For the first time, with a score of 94, I received a Gold award, along with two Silver Distinction awards, and five Silver awards. With three images being finalists, I have been invited to participate in the print competition. The next step is to print those images, mat them and ship them out to Vegas where they will be judged again at WPPI on March 16th and 17th for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Once the awards ceremony takes place on March 18th, I will be able to share the three finalist images. Until then, check out the images below that have already been scored and awarded.

I am honored to be recognized alongside so many incredible photographers!

Put Together | 84 | Silver Distrinction | Creative Division | Portrait Creative Individual | Icon International Photography Awards

Latin Quarter, Paris | 82 | Silver | Portrait Division | Portrait Narrative | Icon International Photography Awards

Dollhouse | 81 | Silver | Creative Division | Fashion + Beauty | Icon International Photography Awards

Hope | 81 | Silver | Portrait Division | Children | Icon International Photography Awards

Lady in Black | 81 | Silver | Portrait Division | Individual | Icon International Photography Awards

Architectural Photography for Mantel Teter | Lord of Hosts Church

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Mantel Teter, an architecture firm located in Kansas City, Missouri, recently hired Emmalee Rathsam to photograph Lord of Hosts Church in Omaha, Nebraska.

Final Friday Show | Paris and Rome Fine Art Photography

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Join me for Final Fridays with Unmistakably Lawrence on Friday 8/30/24 from 5-8pm! Framed prints from my Paris and Rome Collections will be on display and available for purchase. Come say hi and enjoy a glass of wine with me!

Mission Hills Lifestyle Magazine Featured Article

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The September 2024 issue of Mission Hills Lifestyle Magazine featured a story on my work and the award winning images I have created. Thrilled to see an image from Annysa Washington’s fashion shoot on the cover! Perfect image for the style issue.

Read the article here: https://citylifestyle.com/articles/emmalee-rathsam-photography

Architectural Photography | Bible Christian Church

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Bible Christian Church located in Garden City, Kansas was recently completed by the team of Mantel Teter, Hutton Construction, Dialectic Engineering and CSD Group. The team hired me to photograph the interior and exterior of the new building for their marketing purposes.

Argenta Headshots | Kansas City Photographer

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Last month, Argenta Global hired me to photograph 13 of their employees on-site at the KU Innovation Park. Since 2006, Argenta Global has been the sole global CRO/CDMO specialising in animal health. They guide companies from concept to market, offering a seamless pathway to success. Supporting companies big and small with unparalleled, comprehensive support right across the animal health product development cycle from 'molecule to market'.

Architectural Photographer | Pleasant Valley Baptist Church

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Pleasant Valley Baptist Church located in Liberty, Missouri, was recently completed by the team of Mantel Teter, Pearce Construction and Eldecon. The team hired me to photograph the interior spaces of the newly renovated student center.

Photography Awards Finalist | Kansas City Portrait and Fashion Photographer

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Power of Time, is one of three finalist images in the International Photographic Cup (IPC) ©EmmaleeRathsam

I’m excited to announce that I am a finalist in two image competitions, the International Photographic Cup (IPC) and the Icon International Photography Awards. Live judging will take place for IPC at Professional Photographer’s of America’s conference, Imaging USA, in Louisville, Kentucky on January 27, 2024, and continue at the awards ceremony with the top 4 from each category on Monday night, January 29, 2024. Three of my images made it to the Round of 32, each scoring bronze in the following categories, Children and Teens, Illustrative Portrait, and Natural Portrait. These three images have the chance to score higher during the live head-to-head judging at Imaging USA.

Live judging for Icon Awards will take place in Las Vegas at the Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) conference. Two years ago, I was honored to have won 2nd Place in the Portrait category with The Detective, a self-portrait. Last year the WPPI Image competition, which is ran by the fabulous team of Jerry and Melissa Ghionis, changed its name to Icon Awards. I submitted 8 images into the digital portion of the competition, 4 images received a Silver award and 1 image received a Silver Distinction award, as well as Top 10 in the Fashion and Beauty category. I will travel to the WPPI conference in March to watch the live judging of the print portion of the competition which will take place March 3, 2024-March 4, 2024. Photographers that made the Top 10 in their category are invited to participate in the print competition for the chance to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place in that category. Next step is printing and matting my image!

Wish me luck!!!

PAST AWARD-WINNING IMAGES

 

366 Photographs | 2024 Daily Project

2024 started alongside hundreds of thousands of people in Times Square as my husband and I crossed the intersection of 49th Street and 7th Avenue at just the right moment to see the ball drop.

On New Years Day, I filled my camera with images of New York City and decided I would embark on a journey of self-discovery by creating an image each day.

At the beginning of the year, I simply photographed something that brought me joy or something that documented the day. Over time my collection of daily images has expanded to include images of insects, flowers and travel.

Discipline and a never ending search for inspiration are the two intentions that form the foundation of this project.