To capture a moment in time is one thing, but to capture the faces that frame practically each moment in one compact, cheery neighborhood space from dawn until dusk is a daunting task. Unless you are John Crowley, of course, community-elevated squire of Petaluma's artsy social circuit and mastermind behind this month's Aqus Art Project "One Day at Aqus" .
Captured on one single day in December, 400 Aqus Cafe customers in 400 photographs each bearing a unique time stamp supplied by 10 tireless Sonoma County photographers working in shifts.
"This is a one of a kind art project," says John. Always searching for intriguing ways to connect people, Crowley gathered a team of talented photographers to photograph each willing customer who stopped in at the cafe. The resulting 400 or more photographs are set to go on display at the cafe from Jan 7th until Jan 18th. Each photograph will bear the exact time it was taken, documenting in chronological order an entire day at the bustling cafe from 7am until 10pm.
The 10 photographers, LeAnn Baca Bartlett, Julie Arden, Robert Vente, Rosemarie Lion, Susan Price, Roger Minkow, Victoria Webb, Lee McLaughlin, Aida Daay and Margi Levin have collectively created a vibrant exhibit of a cross section of the city's modern populace. And to prove that Petalumans are not mere pretty faces, Crowley asked his loyal base of regular customers for anonymous answers to a couple of insightful and inspirational questions:
"Answers reveal what it is that Petalumans would like to change in their lives in the coming 12 months," says Crowley, as well as "What they would like changed within their community."
Answers are to be posted apart from the photos so that personal thoughts and ideals remain nameless. An Opening Reception takes place this Thursday, January 7th at Aqus Cafe at Foundry Wharf, 189 H Street (on the corner of 2nd and H) Petaluma CA 94952 707.778.6060 at 5pm.
Look closely and you will spot yours truly, Scribbles Daily (looking a bit haggard due to racing across town from tail end of Carols in the Parking Garage, regular readers may recall), right next to John's partner at the Cafe, the lovely Lesley (captured in full trivia-night throttle). The Squire himself is snapped in black and white romantic pose with wife and co-Aqus partner, Anne-Laure).
Here's to a daily cuppa in a fresh-faced crowd at a neighborhood java house, the popular 'pub' culture of today.
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