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A Bonny photo show

Viseye gallery’s third year launches with Makarewicz exhibition
makarewicz-viseye

Who: Bonny Makarewicz photo exhibition

Where: Viseye Photo Gallery (BBK’s Pub)

When: Opening Reception Wednesday, Dec. 15, 10 p.m.-midnight

The Viseye Photo Gallery is changing things up again, kicking off its third year this Wednesday evening with an exhibition of works by accomplished local photojournalist Bonny Makarewicz.

The gallery makes use of the walls of BBK’s Pub, an intimate spot in the Upper Village. Exhibitions are rotated approximately every four weeks during the winter season.

A graduate of the journalism program at the Southern Alberta Institute of technology, Makarewicz has been in the Whistler area since 1990. For 12 years she was the roving eye of the Whistler Question, leaving the staff photographer position this past spring.

She has continued to shoot as a freelance photojournalist for wire services, and contributes regularly to Vancouver newspapers the Province and the Sun. But for the most part Makarewicz says she’s given up the grind of the daily "news gig" to spend more time on the art of photography. In her words: "to wander a little bit more."

Those who know Makarewicz primarily for her news shots will see a different side at the Viseye. She deems the exhibition "a real blend," with elements of travel, action, landscape and nature.

"I have my favourite photographs for my reasons but whether somebody wants to hang them on their wall is another thing," Makarewicz said. "So I tried to put stuff together that people would be inspired by and would want in their spaces."

Whistler has become Makarewicz’s space. Her photojournalistic endeavours will one day tell our story as her byline adorns multiple contributions to Whistler’s archives.

She’s made her mark in other ways, even stepping in front of the lens to be photographed as self-sufficient female icon Rosie the Riveter for a 2003 feature on Whistler’s most accomplished women.

Makarewicz claims it’s Whistler’s "energy" that keeps her around. She continues to be inspired professionally by the work of fellow Whistler shooter Paul Morrison, who she describes as "a perfectionist and a nice guy."

"Whistler’s a small town but it doesn’t have a small town attitude. It’s very upbeat," she said. "In Whistler people’s glasses are half full, they’re not half empty."

Bonny Makarewicz’s photo exhibition at the Viseye Photo Gallery runs until Jan. 15, 2005.