Member Profile: Andy Mars

closeAndy Mars is an Event Photographer and Photo Artist who creates one-of-a-kind mixed-media artwork by integrating photography with watercolor and acrylic paints as well as pastel chalk and pencils. She prints on such materials as textured papers and canvas as well as traditional photographic paper. Andy’s main areas of focus are nature, people, animals, seascapes and urban scenes. Her work has been exhibited at the Memorial Arts Museum in Rochester, NY, Manhattan galleries and various Soho Gallery restaurants. In order to realize her commitment to “giving back” to the community, Andy has volunteered her services by initiating the community service committee for the Professional Women Photographers organization, winning the Volunteer Group of the Year Award from Women In Need (WIN) in June of 2010. She also provided pet and family portraits to raise money for the dogs who worked at the World Trade Center in the aftermath of 9/11. She also works as an event photographer. In June of 2009 Andy taught mixed media photo art workshops to cancer survivors for the Creative Center in NYC and a workshop titled "What Do All Those Buttons Do On Your Digital Camera" to Senior Citizens at the Council Senior Center. Also in June of 2009 Andy's photo was displayed at the Special Learning Leaders Event at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Great Hall. In September of 2009 Andy taught a pastel photo workshop at B&H camera store and in February of 2011 she taught a mixed media photo workshop at Calumet camera store. In 2011 she became a pet photographer volunteer for Animal Care and Control of NYC. Andy also collaborates with Magnum Photographer, Eli Reed and Food Photographer Lou Manna who are both Olympus Visionaries. You're welcome to visit me in my Photo Studio (1B) at Farmington Valley Arts Center (FVAC) in in Avon, CT.