On Thursday, June 15th, ASV was grateful to be one of the select group of vendors chosen to be represented at the “Diamonds Are Forever” luncheon and boutique at Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette. Sponsored by Catholic Charities North Regional Office, this annual summer gathering offered a lovely range of items to generous shoppers who enjoy spending time together while raising funds for Catholic Charities. ASV Project Manager Katie Tuten and ASV Photo Team Member Jody O’Connor sold ASV prints, ornaments and other gifts, even selling out of the ASV note cards they had brought! Thank you, to all who came and bought ASV items at this special event. AND thank you, Katie and Jody, for your relentless dedication to ASV and its artists!
Artist Statements
I enjoy everything about the project. The day I took the photos, it was a bright, sunny day.
Regina H.We only must tap into the very inter beings of our souls to awaken the art forms in us all. If you do not enjoy what you are doing you will never be good at it. By Luke Parker. If you don’t start somewhere, you’re gonna go nowhere. By Bob Marley. When you photograph people in color you photograph their clothes. When you photograph people in black and white you photograph their soul. Hippy Ted Grant
Deborah A.I love the “poetry” photo. When I was 14 years old Gwendolyn Brooks visited my High School and read her poems. It was my first introduction to a Poet Laureate. Ms. Brooks explained to my class the definition of a Poet Laureate. Ms. Brooks literally spoke these words “We Real Cool.” After Supper Visions teachers have inspired me. They are the reason why I took these photos.
Kim J.The Catholic Charities “After Supper Visions Photography”. This career of 17 years has brought out my hidden artistic talent thanks to the “Master Teacher, Jody” of the photography program.
Margaret A.I like to go to take pictures with my friends to see who has the best pictures. I name mine. A. Taste of the east B. The trees have shadows C. Reflection D. Long way home
Jerry T.Stormy morning – waiting for the sun to rise. Geese and ducklings swimming and dipping in the water. Getting lost between sunrise and sunset. The beautiful colors, the dark blue water and skylights. Bird watching early morning – what did I miss? Beautiful colors of water and sky.
Ruby T.I like taking pictures around the holidays because everything is so decorative. I like taking pictures of the Bulls, the Sox, the Blackhawks and the Cubs, all in Chicago because they are all winners.
Ronald G.Pictures of any kind are the procreating and production of two God-given eyes correlating and collaborating. If only the world can see straight, eye-to-eye, that would make one perfect picture of a perfect family.
Cheryl H.I am so proud and humbled to be in this show. I have for so long been called a loser, good for nothing, never amount to anything person. Today I know I am none of those negative things. Having been clean and sober for seven years I can truly say I feel a part of something good. I see myself as being a photographer and an artist. I’m grateful for this social opportunity. I thank God for everyone involved in making this event successful.
Andy A.Like the quote by Tess Flanders “A picture is worth a thousand words”.
Neal H.I came to Catholic Charities to be in the class on Wednesday and one of my friends told me about the class on Tuesday. I love to take pictures of colors and shapes. Pictures to me is artwork, each picture to me has a shape and color, it tell you a story about something. As a child I was in art classes and I find art is a melody. It’s also like a book, it has a beginning and an ending.
Lori V.I like to talk to others and see a new life Time is not good, I don have a job or home. Working for it all but pictures and the photo project are helping me to look up. Being with friends at the photo project has helped me.
John L.Bike photo: I wanted a straight photo with a diagonal feel to it. I thought it was cool to take a photo like this. I tried to grasp a photo that no one else takes – a unique perspective. I like my photos to be an art piece hung in someone’s living room or office space.
Anthony B.I love photography. My late uncle was a photographer before he became a businessman. I love photography for the light, the color, the shadows, and all the varied shapes and dimensions. It is a wonderful hobby, and could turn out to be an extremely interesting profession. It’s also a fun way to be an artist.
Daniel G.In my pictures, I have captured the beauty in objects and places with different medium, which allows me to express unique pictures.
Herman H.I am 48 years old, AA, disabled, single female; who is both an educated mason that is both poor and homeless. I am also a non-veteran, non-gang member, without children. Due to gentrification, I was evicted out of public housing after a quarter of a century. All praises and thanks to Father God and Catholic Charities. I am moving from being barred from low-income housing to the bus and park bench to a new home of my own. Step by step.
Michelle T.My personal escape…Spending years struggling to keep a roof over your head, a decent meal in your body and protective clothing from the elements causes one to lose sight of his surroundings. Photography taps into the soul and brings out the joy of freedom.
Reginald H.My friend and I go out to take pictures as a team and enjoy and compare.
Roberta J.Showing my pictures of outdoor nature and city landscape.
Donnell W.I enjoy the class.
Roosevelt B.This is a photo catch of Chicago’s Rye. One of many beautiful aspects of architectural foundation. Look, see, wonder.
Ralph W.I love the way Chicago is. It is my kind of town. I take pictures.
Ralph C.It was a hard discussion to come up with all these very creative statements. It is the beauty a person can capture that gives me complete joy.
Maurice B.I have been taking pictures for eight years and I am still in the pictures. I like being in it because it helps me calm down and be happy. I like taking pictures outside a lot, hot, snow, that what I like doing. It shows what best comes out of me.
Octavia W.I love this After Supper Visions event. It is very sobering experience for me. I get a chance to be productive while expressing my artistic ability. After being clean and sober for eight years, I am excited to be an active participant in something positive and creative. Thank you all for coming out and supporting and encouraging us in recreating our lives.
Andy A.I started taking photos as a hobby. I was bored with a lot of free time. I started paying attention to the scenery that I took for granted every day. For example, sunrise, moon and sunshine. As dusk starts to settle in that’s when things get calm and relaxing, my perfect time for photos/photography.
Tommy L.At a young age I was given a camera, and from there I just fell in love with photography, no schooling. Just a passion.
Ruben G.The positive style can be a style that takes time to build and achieve. The tips and edges (for each shot) are taken in preparation. Reconsideration why there can be a change, can add to different things not being shown, but later be taken into consideration.
Brian C.It is amazing to join the 2017 photo show. Welcome to Chicago. A) L Train going south on Orleans St. B) A local “lodge” bar on Division and State. C) Eye catching of trees with different direction. D) Here we Chicagoans still have rules.
Sandra J.Where do we go when we go. Do you know yet life goes on. Life at time could feel like a cage. Most people have no idea it exist be it up top or at the bottom, we are all seeking of some sort of freedom.
Shawn B.This is my first year in the photo class. The more I relaxed the more fun I started having. It you think it is beautiful it is probably a good picture.
Sandra D.The photography class was great. It gave me a chance to be creative and to see the beauty of God.
Tracey M.Enjoying the sun reflecting on the building while walking through the city.
Bobby L.I like to take photos and the pictures I took. It is awesome!
Maurice C.When I took the pictures, I was thinking of inspiration. The Cubs is my favorite team. The other pictures were about springtime with the colors of leaves and flowers. The bus stop picture was about still life, how peaceful the picture looks.
Markeara L.The photos give us good idea of the future of Chicago: buildings and landscapes that are beautiful. The photo project inspires me to look for pictures I want to take.
Donnell W.Art is my happy place especially photography. This is my escape; I can be whoever I want to be. My husband and I are named as the “Art Couple Who’s Still Standing.
Sarah E.Had a good time doing it. Hope you love them as much as I do.
Paul S.Pictures give me a pleasure of good time. I like taking pictures in the mid-day hours because it makes my day go smoother and faster. Catholic Charities inspires me because of their hospitality every day in serving the homeless. I have been a part of Catholic Charities for 17 years – a very good organization.
Sammie B.These photos were taken in Hawaii while I worked on a cruise ship this past summer. Although I was working 10-hour days, I was able to get off every now and then and take photos every chance I got. I hope you enjoy them.
Robert R.
After Supper Visions








