The Maker’s Muse: Contemporary Photographic Art 

from the Artists of the American Society of Photographers
60 works of art - 36 artists exhibited

This collection of photographic art, created by member artists of the American Society of Photographers, are on view in the exhibition "The Maker's Muse: Contemporary Photographic Art from the Artists of the American Society of Photographers". 

Following a Call for Entries in 2020 for "The Maker's Muse" exhibition, 119 images created by 42 artists were selected. The inaugural exhibition was held in Grapevine, Texas, and the exhibition is now on view in Houston, Texas. 36 artists are represented by 60 works of art.

The Exhibition

In the digital era, “The Maker’s Muse” emphasizes that impact goes beyond an immediate reaction to a fleeting image, and is deepened by a reflective process obtained through time spent viewing the printed image. Additionally, consideration can be given to the techniques employed by each individual artist, who start with the same tool, photography, and complete pieces through varying techniques from digital art to applied materials.

Offering up the seed from which so much is grown, the maker’s muse is the touch of inspiration that spurs thought into action. In this collection from the American Society of Photographers, the elusive muse bestows her gifts differently on each artist, and captures the viewer’s imagination, whether by a strike of lightning from a looming thunderhead, an alien birth, or the delicate bow of a flower.

Exhibition Dates

• 1/13/25 - 2/28/25 Grapevine Tower Gallery and RTown Gallery, Grapevine, Texas
• 4/11/25 - 5/24/25 Sawyer Yards, Houston, Texas
• 9/19/25 - 1/10/26 The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Art, Spring, Texas

Purchase "The Maker’s Muse" Book and Individual Pieces of Art

• Purchase "The Maker's Muse" Book Here
• Purchase Individual Pieces of Art Here

Videos

• Grapevine TX Grapevine Tower Gallery Reception
• Grapevine TX RTown Gallery Reception
• Sawyer Yards Installation
• Sawyer Yards Opening Night Reception

Grapevine Tower Gallery Images

Grapevine RTown Gallery Images

Sawyer Yards Images

Pearl Fincher

Exhibiting Artists 

Grapevine, Texas and Houston, Texas

Impact

In the digital era, “The Maker’s Muse” emphasizes that impact goes beyond an immediate reaction to a fleeting image, and is deepened by a reflective process obtained through time spent viewing the printed image. Additionally, consideration can be given to the techniques employed by each individual artist, who start with the same tool, photography, and complete pieces through varying techniques from digital art to applied materials.

Offering up the seed from which so much is grown, the maker’s muse is the touch of inspiration that spurs thought into action. In this collection from the American Society of Photographers, the elusive muse bestows her gifts differently on each artist, and captures the viewer’s imagination, whether by a strike of lightning from a looming thunderhead, an alien birth, or the delicate bow of a flower.

Our Collections

Form - From the profile of a floating iceberg, to the lines that comprise the human body, form speaks in a language so eloquent and expressive that one can rarely resist leaning forward for further examination. In this wide ranging collection, photographic artists express simplicity as well as complexity, and revel in repetition as well as distortion in form to convey power, grace, and even humor.

Images of Women - This exhibition features the work of different artists and explores various aspects of the life of women, including dreams of connection and escape, fragmentation and reunification, elevation and objectification, and embellishment and the lack of adornment. Using diverse styles, these contemporary artists bring the many facets of what it means to exist as a woman to life. Even though the lives of women vary tremendously from culture to culture, these themes persist throughout time and across social constructs. They are exquisitely depicted in this collection of works.

Vintage - There is an irresistible human impulse to revisit the past, and in this collection, contemporary photographic artists come together with images that evoke thoughts of days gone by. From horse-drawn carriages in a city square to vintage airplanes, this collection embraces visual anachronism captured through the modern lens and finds it worthy of exploration.

The Quiltwork of the Land - How most of us see the world around us is often a matter of perspective, but the way in which an artist depicts their surroundings is a matter of interpretation. In this collection, photographic artists focus on the elements of their environments and use a range of styles to portray the grandeur of a cityscape, the tenderness of a bird feeding her chicks, the starkness of the desert scene, the fragility of relationships, or the wonder of flight.

The Beauty of Nature - It surrounds us, sustains us, and breathes life into us: the natural world. In these pieces, American Society of Photographers artists interpret our world through photography. From the sumptuous colors of a tropical bird, to the utter simplicity and velvety softness of a single bloom, these images bring the world around us into focus.

Imagination and Technique - Sometimes the real world is not enough for these artists. Either in concept or in technique, these works display a mastery of technique and vision. From mermaids floating in an undersea world of high rises and city streets to a bouquet of melting flowers, these artists take you on a fantastical journey as they reshape the world through their art.

In Their Own World - A photograph often offers the viewer a glimpse into a time and a world beyond their own experience. In this collection, American Society of Photographers artists create windows into the private spaces occupied by their subjects in deeply personal, evocative, and touching imagery.

Exhibition Materials

Trailer

For More Information Contact

Traveling Exhibit Services

Promotional Materials
Promotional Materials will be provided in digital formats created by ASP or in conjunction with your organization. Brief artist biographies accompanied by headshots will be provided in addition to the information needed to label objects. ASP would like to produce a catalog or artist booklet if budget permits. Any size of promotional materials, including postcards, leave behind and artists' plaques can be designed and provided by ASP in a digital format so that it is easy for (museum name) to add logos and texts for specific advertising. 

Label Information
Artist information, object details, and object text will be provided in the requested format for printing by the museum or will be provided printed if required by (museum).

Derivative Works
To be determined

Contributions from Local Artists
ASP has multiple artists residing (location of museum or “across the country”) who are included in the exhibition. Because of the geographic proximity to (location of museum), those who follow their work in your area, and those who follow local art, will attend this exhibit. Support is always greater for local artists.
Having a local artist in the exhibit can also bring other avenues of success and press coverage for the museum. These artists are always willing to give their time to teach and lecture. Incorporating them into the lecture series could bring new memberships and patrons looking for a different line of theory. Teaching techniques, from camera gear, to lighting and computer programs and even speaking on how they gain the capture, will bring a fresh perspective to the application. Local artists will also be able to attend a grand opening for the exhibit and garner a larger crowd.

Condition and Installation of Artwork
All artwork will be delivered ready to hang (D-Rings and wired) 
Maximum framed/overall size of each piece will be no greater than 36x36” 
Materials on which images are printed will vary.
All artwork is for wall installation

Educational Opportunities
ASP would provide a list of artists who will be available for the opening, panel discussions, lectures, or artist talks about the creative process of the artwork or other topics related to the exhibition, geared to all ages. Talks may also be created for audiences of different levels of experience with the subject matter. 
Recordings of the artist speaking about their work is planned for the exhibition portable audio experience.
Each image may be accompanied by a story about the art piece. This may include how and when the vision and image were completed, camera settings and techniques used, as well as the vision and thought process of the artist. Each will be 200 words or less and can be shortened as needed.

Contributions from National Artists
Just as local artists can help with attendance, national and international artists will help with the wide-spread press of the exhibit. ASP will be providing all contributing artists with press releases for print and social media, complete with a link for the museum. Because your link will be found on their numerous websites, the rankings of your internet presence will be heightened. Because our artists are deemed some of “the best of the best” artists, most have followers from all over the world. 
American Society of Photographers is an established organization with a membership of invited artists only. These artists must also be a part of Professional Photographers of America, PPA. PPA members are worldwide, and most are familiar with ASP members as mentors or sources to expand their creativity. This will increase our reach for the exhibit by over 30,000 current members as well as their guests to the exhibit.

Insurance
Each piece is insured by the maker.

Shipping
To be arranged. Exhibitors pay minimal fees (most often only outgoing shipping costs). Contact us for more information.

Information for Consideration
Extended artist biographies and CV/resumes will be provided upon request.