West Brookfield photographer Bruce Small returns to the Gifford Medical Center art gallery on May 30 after a five-year hiatus, bringing his mix of the natural beauty and national history.
Known locally for his stunning photographs, Small’s works include lighthouses, hot air balloons, covered bridges, scenic areas and historic monuments.
Small first began taking pictures just out of high school while serving in the U.S. Navy, including on shore patrol in Naples, Italy. He returned to his native West Brookfield and began a career in the construction trades. His work required commuting around the state. He started keeping a camera beside him so he could capture the beautiful scenes he saw along the way. Then it was family vacations across North America that had him clicking away.
At first, the photos were just for him as he strove to bring the beautiful images he saw in his travels home with him to Vermont.
Chandler’s Local Artist Show first inspired Small to show his work. He has since shown his work in Northfield, Waterbury and at Gifford with resounding success. His photos have also hung in area banks and he currently has a collection at Eaton’s Sugarhouse in Royalton.
His favorite showing was a rotating display for his father when he resided at Mayo nursing home in Northfield. The show, he says, was an opportunity to share his travels with those no longer able to travel.
This has always been his focus – to capture the scene before him so he could share it with others.
His latest collection contains photos of Vermont as well as from Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, Maine, Nevada and Arizona.
“What I’m trying to do is put out a show that people enjoy,” Small says. “That (viewers enjoyment) is the greatest thing for me. That’s what makes it worthwhile.”
Small’s show runs through Aug. 1. The Gifford Gallery is just inside the main lobby of the hospital at 44 S. Main St. (Route 12) in Randolph. Call Volunteer Coordinator Julie Fischer at (802) 728-2324 or visit www.giffordmed.org to learn more. The show is free and open to the public.
