After Supper Visions

The 2013 ASV Invitation Photo

aftersuppervisions — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:40:16 +0000

This photo has been chosen by the Photo Team to be featured on the invitation to the 2013 ASV Photo Exhibition. What a tremendous cornucopia of color, adding clarity and definition to every branch on this majestic tree. The exhibit opens on Friday, June 7th, from 5-7PM at 721 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago, continuing on Saturday, June 8th, from 1-3PM. Whether you have attended before, or are intrigued to attend for the first time this year, we extend a warm and hearty welcome to this unique and beautiful art exhibition. Thank you for your interest in “After Supper Visions.”

Four Weeks And Counting…

aftersuppervisions — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:56:12 +0000

ASV Photo Team Member Noreen Russo unveils the official 2013 ASV banner in front of Catholic Charities headquarters, in anticipation of the Eleventh Annual “After Supper Visions” Photo Exhibition on June 7th (5-7PM) and 8th (1-3PM), at 721 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago.

Anyone with an appreciation for art and an interest in encouraging new artists is most cordially invited to attend. Admissions is free and open to the public. Bring a friend on Friday evening for the Grand Opening. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and see the fantastic photographic art that the Tuesday Night Supper guests have been working on since last September.

There are many photos in this show that almost defy description. Help us kick off the summer art gallery season in Chicago, and meet some remarkable artists. The 2013 “After Supper Visions” Photo Exhibition, June 7th and 8th.

ASV Photos Purchased For Use In New Catholic Charities Housing Development Building

aftersuppervisions — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:27:43 +0000

Catholic Charities Housing Development (CCHD) Department has purchased fourteen ASV framed photos for use in its newest building, the All Saints Residence, at 11701 South State Street in Chicago. The building officially will be dedicated on Thursday, May 30th, 2013, with His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago, presiding.

Beautifully framed and matted in black, the fourteen prints, chosen by the CCHD staff, include stunning views of nature in Chicago and well as some of our city’s world-class architectural landmarks. Previewing two of the selected photos above are (l to r): Katie Tuten, ASV Project Director, Jody O’Connor, ASV Photo Team Member, Kathy Donahue, Catholic Charities Sr. Vice-President of Program Evaluation and Development, Ellen Gorney, ASV Photo Team Member and Rev. Wayne F. Watts, Associate Administrator of Catholic Charities and Pastor of St. John Berchmans Parish.

Other businesses interested in purchasing ASV prints for their offices and lobbies are invited to call Maria Radjevic at 312-655-7758. All sales directly benefit the Catholic Charities dinner guests who took the photos. Thank you for your consideration, in support of these very talented artists.

ASV Has Gone High Tech

aftersuppervisions — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:19:07 +0000

ASV photos are being stored and organized on a laptop this year, as part of the Photo Team’s ongoing efforts to make the upcoming 11th Annual Photo Exhibition as successful as possible. Photo Team member Jody O’Connor is joined below by Ray B., a talented photographer who has been part of the ASV program for five years. This year, Ray has generously offered to help load and organize the photos on the laptop, after the artists select which photos they want to showcase in the exhibition. As mentioned before, Ray has a portfolio of his own work, and his skills are a most-welcome addition to the team as dozens of artists make their selections in these final weeks. Thank you Ray!

Signs of Spring

aftersuppervisions — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:05:23 +0000

As winter officially ends, giving way to slightly warmer days and longer hours of sunshine, we’d like to share with you the riveting work of two more artists who have captured this beautiful transition of seasons on film.

Robert R., Jr. catches the serenity of Lake Michigan after one of our last snowstorms. The contrast between the brilliant blue sky and the pristine white of the snow on the lake is magnificent.

Margaret A. was in the right place at the right time, when this restaurant brought out its umbrellas to welcome one of the first outdoor lunch crowds of the year. How inviting this looks!

You can see these photos and much more at the Eleventh Annual “After Supper Visions” photo exhibition on June 7th and 8th. Follow this website as plans for this year’s gallery opening continue to unfold. Thank you for your interest in ASV!

Wait Until You See What I’ve Got!

aftersuppervisions — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 23:07:42 +0000

It was a cold and blustery night in Chicago last evening. The forecast had been so bad that many schools notified students and their families that they would be closed for the day, before the snowstorm started. Many guests at the regular Tuesday Night Supper walked in chilled and bundled head to toe in coats, scarves and gloves, understandably weary from facing the elements all day.

But not Kurt J. He walked into the Tuesday Night Supper with his jacket open, snow covering his hat and his face wet with melting snow. He smiled from ear to ear and his eyes were full of joyful expression as he walked up to the ASV volunteers near the doorway. He threw his arms open wide and said, “Wait until you see what I’ve got!” as he placed his camera down on the table. Kurt continued, “I just finished my roll of film today, taking pictures in the snow. You would not think there were great things to see today but there were. There really were. I can’t wait to see my pictures. I can’t wait for all of you to see my pictures.”

The volunteers quickly replied, “Kurt, we can’t wait to see them too.” And they meant it.

Mark Your Calendars For The 2013 ASV Photo Exhibition

aftersuppervisions — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 17:41:51 +0000

Save The Dates: The 2013 ASV Photo Exhibition will take place on Friday, June 7th, from 5-7pm and on Saturday, June 8th, from 1-3PM in Vincent Hall of Catholic Charities headquarters, 721 N. LaSalle Street in Chicago.

Seventeen artists already have chosen the prints they will feature in this year’s exhibition. Included are brilliant photos of some of Chicago’s world-famous landmarks, some taken from engaging new angles never seen before in the ASV program. Also included are gorgeous moments of birds in flight over a frozen, glistening Lake Michigan, vibrant still photos of flowers and foliage, with color and detail that virtually leap off the page. You also won’t want to miss seeing one especially-intriguing, incredibly imaginative photo of Chicago, taken from the inside of a subway train. And there is much more yet to come!

The photographers this year have shown a sincere dedication to achieving bold, new standards for creative success. Their zeal is contagious and it sets the stage for a high-impact exhibit that will raise the bar on what can be achieved this year.

The 2013 ASV Photo Exhibition on June 7th and 8th: “Eleven Years Developing Film, Talent and Hope.” Please join us.

ASV Update

aftersuppervisions — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:53:05 +0000

The “After Supper Visions” program continues to gain momentum this month. Last evening, seven artists turned their disposable cameras in, to be developed. Another five artists got to look at their prints, just back from being developed. Over a dozen artists have chosen their final prints that will be enlarged and framed in anticipation of the ASV 2013 Exhibition on June 7th and 8th.
With more dinner guests participating than ever this year, this eleventh annual exhibition promises to be the largest and most impressive yet. Longtime volunteers continue to marvel at how this year’s photographers are capturing some of Chicago’s most famous landmarks in new and innovative ways. As one volunteer recently said, “That’s what makes this program so unique. The sky’s the limit, as ASV artists challenge themselves to new heights of creativity each year. Even in these grey days of winter, the prints coming back for the artists are amazing. Just beautiful photographic artwork.”

An Incredible Winter of Discovery For ASV Artists

aftersuppervisions — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:46:35 +0000

Many people lament this time of year, with daylight at a minimum and the prospect of warmth at least six weeks away. But for many ASV artists, this is a fantastic time of year, to capture the peace, serenity and beauty of winter, and of life, on film.

More cameras are being turned in each week and, as the film comes back, the photographers eagerly sit down to see their prints and start selecting what photos they would like to feature in the ASV 2013 Exhibition, on June 7th and 8th. (Photographers who are new to the program choose three photos; returning photographers choose four.) Catholic Charities volunteers have the greatest admiration and respect for the camaderie that spontaneously emerges, as the artists share their photos with one another, offering encouragement and practical suggestions on how to take creative, original photos.

Ray B. is an artist who has been part of the ASV program for five years. He is one of the most accomplished photographers in the program, and he is one of the most generous, always willing to offer his time and support to new artists. Ray has created an impressive portfolio of his work, and he is a true inspiration to others, in the way that he challenges himself to new levels of creativity each year. Just look at the image below, one of Ray’s newest photos that he has allowed us to share with you today. It is a thrill for everyone involved in ASV to watch artists like Ray find their artistic imagination and innovative intuition through the lens of their cameras.

Poet Robert Frost once said, “You can’t get too much winter in the winter,” and we agree. We applaud the ASV aritsts who are making this winter a time of immense discovery.

ASV Year In Review

aftersuppervisions — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 15:20:40 +0000

As New Year’s celebrations begin around the world today, the ASV program of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago pauses to reflect on how it has evolved over the past decade, and summarize the developments of this year:

“Ten Years Developing Film, Talent and Hope” 2003 2012

Number of artists participating in the photo exhibition               17                59
Number of gallery shows                                                                      1                   3
Number of photos taken                                                                    408            1,416+
Number of photos framed                                                                   51                200

Over the past ten years, 245 artists have sold over $100,000 worth of photos; more than 23,000 photos have been taken. Hundreds of lives have been changed. Some artists have earned enough from the program to put security deposits on apartments, begin to pay tuition at community colleges, buy a computer and become employed as photographers.

The goal of the program continues to be providing an opportunity for Tuesday Night Supper guests to find enjoyment and satisfaction, while earning income as they develop their creative talents as photographers. Those who attend the photo art exhibition each June also benefit from meeting the artists and discussing photography, and life with them. The intention is for ASV to be a positive, uplifting experience for all, from the time the disposable cameras are handed out in September through the completion of the exhibit each June.

In 2012, there has been an inspiring surge in the number of business leaders in Chicago’s corporate community that have purchased ASV prints for display in their homes and in their professional lobbies, conference rooms and personal offices. ASV artists also have been very grateful for the compensation they receive from the increased sale of online note cards and holiday cards featuring their artwork.

Those who visit this website regularly comment that they are particularly moved by the “Quotes From The Artists” page (see above).

Fr. Wayne Watts agrees about the universal appeal of this program. He says, “Appreciating art, finding interesting, beautiful things in the world and helping others help themselves. This is what ‘After Supper Visions’ is all about. These are things people everywhere can believe in.”

As ASV concludes “Ten Years Developing Film, Talent and Hope,” we thank the many individuals and corporate sponsors who have supported this program over the past decade, and look forward to the many possibilities for growth and discovery that still lie ahead. ASV is one of hundreds of programs that Catholic Charities has operated for 95 years, affirming the dignity and talents of every person, helping them strive for self-sufficiency.

We invite you to stay with the ASV website into the New Year, as the 2013 ASV Exhibition approaches (on June 7th and 8th) and as our online sale of note cards and photo prints continues. Happy New Year!