Branford Arts To Showcase Local Photographers

Summer will be a little more artistic this year thanks to the efforts of the newly formed Branford Arts and Cultural Alliance (BACA). The organization will showcase local photographers at the historic Academy on the Green (pictured) over two weekends in July and one in August.

The first exhibit opening July 16 will honor the works of iconic photographer Bill O’Brien, a retired banker, who has been the unofficial town photographer for decades. 

The second exhibit beginning July 30 will showcase the works of Branford resident Mike Marsland, who has been the official Yale photographer since 1987. The final exhibit opening on Aug. 13 will feature a selection of local photographers.

All three exhibits will open Thursday evenings and will coincide with the jazz festival on the Town Green. Frank Carrano, who chairs BACA, said people can enjoy the jazz concerts, dine at one of the many nearby restaurants or bring a picnic supper, and then stop over to see the photographs.

The exhibits, which are free and open to the public, will continue those three weekends on Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays from 2 to 8 p.m. 

Carrano said the nearly 200-year-old Academy on the Green is the perfect location. ​“We’re really pleased to have the use of the Academy,” he told the Eagle. ​“And we hope it will be the beginning of more uses. It’s a wonderful venue.”

Capturing a Slice of Branford Life

Carrano said choosing O’Brien for the first showcase was just natural, since he has taken photos at every Branford event for decades. ​“He’s the iconic local photographer,” Carrano said. But more than that, he said O’Brien has an artistic eye. ​“He can capture the reality of the situation and what it was like to be there.”

O’Brien’s love of Branford and its people shows in his photos. What began as a hobby when he started taking pictures of his children, turned into a more serious venture about 30 years ago. He attributes his photographic training to his friend and mentor, Sebastian Frinzi, a longtime former Yale football photographer. O’Brien often covers Yale football games

Sports photos are among his favorites, he said, especially capturing the thrill of the game or a close finish. ​“If you catch the right picture, sports can be intriguing to people,” he said. Here is a photo from O’Brien’s Little League story in the Eagle yesterday. 

O’Brien recalled how his photographic association with the former Branford Review began in the late 1970’s. ​“I went to the Branford Review office one day and asked if they could send a photographer to a particular event.” He said the newspaper didn’t have one available that night. ​“She said, why don’t you take the photos yourself. So I did.” And he continued contributing photos over the years.

O’Brien, who recently turned 75 began a new venture as a sports reporter and sports photographer for the Branford Eagle last September. He recently won three awards from the Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalism for his sports photography.
Click here to view the story. 

O’Brien’s work took him to new heights recently when he snapped photos from a cherry-picker so he could capture a birds-eye-view of an historic event as the refurbished tower was replaced atop the Academy on the Green. Click here to read that story and see the photos.

Many of the photos on the town’s web site were taken by him. No matter what event you attend in town, you will see O’Brien there with his camera equipment. ​“It’s a great town and I enjoy doing it,” he said. Here he captures a moment at a 2011 jazz festival evening. 

O’Brien, who retired after 43 years in banking, said he was hesitant when asked to exhibit his photos. ​“I don’t consider myself that good,” he said. After friends encouraged him to participate, he said choosing which photos has been a challenge. He expects to choose 50 photos for the exhibit. ​“I’ve taken a lot of pictures over the years.” His advice for what it takes to capture a good photo — ​“You’ve got to have an eye.”

A favorite anecdote involves a photo he took at a Michigan State football game a few years ago. O’Brien said he must have taken 400 photos at the game, but he later happened to be looking through Sports Illustrated and a photo caught his eye. It wasn’t his, but it was nearly identical to one of his. ​“Their photographer must have been standing right next to me,” he said.

BACA Boosts Arts and Culture

BACA, whose slogan is ​“Art, Culture, Community,” organized about six months ago with help from some financial angels. The non-profit entity needed start-up funds and money for insurance and other costs. Carrano said the willingness of individual contributors shows the level of interest in the town’s artistic endeavors. ​“We were very successful with that,” he said. ​“We seem to have hit on something people want to support.”

In addition to private donations, one fund-raiser was held in May when the Branford High School Music Makers performed at the Trinity Episcopal Church on the Green.

BACA sponsored two recent events — a Plein Air gathering on the Town Green when artists gathered to paint outdoors June 13. Their paintings were on display in about 35 Main Street stores the week following the Festival.

“The shop owners on Main Street were really excited about participating,” Carrano said. 

BACA also sponsored a pop-up gallery on Saturday during the Festival to showcase artists of varying mediums. ​“This was our first effort to bring together Branford artists,” Carrano said. ​“People were excited about the kinds of art their neighbors were producing.”

On tap for the fall is a guided tour of the three churches on the Town Green — Trinity Episcopal Church, the First Congregational, and the First Baptist Church. ​“We hope this will be something our residents will be interested in,” Carrano said of the historic church tour. 

During the winter months, BACA hopes to extend its focus to performing arts.

Carrano said although BACA is not a town commission as he had originally hoped, the members are working with town entities, such as the Economic Development Commission. ​“They’re happy we’re doing what we’re doing,” Carrano said.

RTM member Robin Sandler is serving as BACA’s vice-chairman; Richard Blacher is secretary and Rosemary Rubsam is treasurer.

Carrano said although he is not an artist, he has always appreciated art and musical events. ​“In the busy world in which we live, we sometimes let those opportunities slip by.”

And he pointed out that so far, all BACA events are free.

“Our only desire is that the town of Branford will take advantage of these opportunities and have some fun with them,” Carrano said.

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