September Show: Spotlight Gallery
September 20 @ 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Iceland by 4
Featuring Photography by Chris Acosta, Lee Courtney, Mark Howenstein, and John Verner
Icelandic folklore is inseparable from its dramatic landscape, with stories of elves, trolls, ghosts, Vikings, towering mountains, and cascading waterfalls woven into its history. Known as the Land of Fire and Ice, Iceland is often described as one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations.
To discover whether these legends and landscapes lived up to their reputation, four Hudson Valley photographers—and their spouses—set out to explore the island together. Traveling to both iconic destinations and hidden locations, the photographers captured Iceland’s remarkable terrain through their own unique artistic perspectives. Several members of the group have returned to Iceland multiple times, continually inspired by its ever-changing light and atmosphere.
The result is Iceland by 4, a collaborative exhibition that offers four distinct visual interpretations of one extraordinary place. Rather than explaining Iceland, the photographers invite viewers to experience it through their images—its immense beauty, rugged weather, quiet moments, and unforgettable landscapes.
About the Artists
Chris Acosta is a self-taught photographer based in Ulster County whose passion for photography began more than fifty years ago while learning traditional black-and-white darkroom techniques. His work ranges from intimate documentary images to sweeping landscapes gathered during extensive travels around the world. Acosta has exhibited throughout the region and currently serves as Vice President of the Arts Society of Kingston Board of Directors.
Lee Courtney is a fine art and commercial photographer whose work has appeared in solo and juried exhibitions throughout the Hudson Valley and the Southwest. While widely recognized for her ethereal floral imagery, travel photography has become an equally important part of her artistic practice. Courtney holds a degree in Photography & Digital Media Arts from Richland College in Dallas, Texas, and lives in Rhinebeck, New York.
John Verner is a fine art, commercial, and stock photographer represented by Getty Images. His photographs have appeared in numerous national publications and organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Food & Wine, The Huffington Post, and many others. In addition to exhibiting nationally, Verner regularly lectures on photography and serves as a juror for photographic competitions. He holds a BFA in Fine Arts and resides in Rhinebeck, New York.
Mark Howenstein is a landscape photographer based in New York’s Catskill Mountains. With more than fifty years of photographic experience, his work explores the fleeting interplay of light and landscape, revealing moments of quiet transcendence. Following a career as Professor of Law and Society at Ramapo College, Howenstein devoted himself to photography, studying with internationally recognized instructors while exhibiting and presenting throughout the Hudson Valley.