June Scraba-Mielnichuk

The opportunity to create and show one’s photographs is a privilege. After years of working in education as a teacher, consultant and administrator, and after focusing on facilitating others to learn and create, it is a shift to focus on artmaking. This allows one to make personal creative decisions, to integrate knowing to tell a story, to produce an image that evokes a feeling, or depicts the novel. Photography allows one to hone in on unique colours, textures, and forms that interplay with light and shadow. My most recent works highlight macro images that have resulted from extracting compositions from found forms – glass panels, windows or vessels, wooden carved forms, a chemical reaction on metal and erosion on other surfaces. Through the lens unusual compositions spring forth and are ongoing focus. Some are designed to bring surprise, present pleasing shapes, visceral colours and a connection to the viewer’s eye.

June Scraba-Mielnichuk is a retired teacher, and principal of Virginia Park Fine Arts Core School, who has also worked in staff development and senior administration for Edmonton Public Schools. She is currently exploring the field of photography and taking courses at Grant McEwan College. She has completed courses in Visual Communications and Printmaking from the University of Alberta. Her focus is capturing unique forms, vivid colours, and images that intrigue the eye including floral, abstract, travel and architectural forms. A tropical hibiscus, poppies unfolding, the terracottas of Mexico, a glimpse of French treasures, and compositional pieces are part of her showings. She has previous shows at the Pava Gallery, Cava Gallery, the Sugarbowl, Gracious Goods Cafe and other community venues.