This weekend the Kalman and Pabst Photo Group (KP Photo) transforms their 18,000-sq.-ft. commercial photo studio into a pop-up gallery, showcasing more than 600 works of art by their staff. The works include travel photography, paintings, illustrations, installations and other fine art. The sixth biennial Kalman & Pabst Photo Group exhibition opens to the public with a reception from 5 to 10 p.m. this Friday, May 13.
Co-founders Jan Kalman and Bob Pabst created the annual event more than a decade ago as a reward for the efforts of their hardworking staff, an opportunity to recognize their efforts by displaying their personal work for an art-loving audience.
“The Fine Art Show’s history traces back to more than a decade ago when studio co-founders Jan Kalman and Bob Pabst expressed their desire to promote the creativity and talent here in Northeast Ohio,” says co-owner Craig Brown. “It was Jan and Bob’s gift to honor the staff who work tremendously hard to serve our clients all year long. The staff are all accomplished artists, outside of their work in the studio, so the Fine Art Show was created as a way to recognize their efforts by displaying their personal work for art-loving audiences.”
Another part of the tradition is an emphasis on philanthropy. This year, 100 percent of raffle ticket sales and 20 percent of artwork sales will be donated to the Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland. Each KP Photo employee donates a piece of art to the raffle.
While the focus is on the staff, Brown acknowledges that the show’s tradition is equally steeped in philanthropy.
“We have always looked to assist an area non-profit by donating a percentage of art sales, as well as raffle ticket sales, to their organization,” he says. “We are extremely pleased to be assisting The Hunger Network of Greater Cleveland this year as we have come to learn that there are over 150,000 residents of Cleveland who struggle with poverty and one in three have great difficulty in affording the meals they need. These statistics, coupled with our extensive work in food photography, really raised the staff’s awareness and we take great pride in being able to help them through our art sales.”
Kalman & Pabst Photo Group has been a leading commercial photography studio in Cleveland for nearly 30 years. The studio has created award-winning food, lifestyle and product photography, as well as digital editing and video work for both regional and national brands.
The show remains on view from 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 14. Street parking is available near the entrance. Guests can also use the parking lot behind the Dealer Tire Building, located on Perkins and East 38th Street.
(Kalman & Pabst Photo Group) 3907 Perkins Ave., 216-426-9090, kpphoto.com
