Women focus of ‘New Work’ at Hay

PORTLAND – An exhibition of photographic works by Jack Montgomery, titled “New Work,” will open Jan. 16, at the Hay Gallery on Congress Street. The public is invited to the opening reception, from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 19.

Montgomery has taken photographs of women that span across the boundaries of age, life experience and nationality.

The direction for this show evolved during Montgomery’s recent trips to the Dominican Republic and Thailand. Montgomery was struck by the parallels among the women of these countries and the women he has photographed over the years in Maine.

The show includes portraits of elderly and young Dominican women, a ring-necked girl from a jungle village in northern Thailand, members of a community of elderly women living on barges on the River Kwai in Thailand, Montgomery’s daughter Lily and her friends while working on a construction project in the Dominican Republic and members of the dance collective “Perennial Effects,” founded by Betsey Duffey, a well-known Portland dance choreographer and teacher.

Jan Holder, spokeswoman for the Hay Gallery, said, “Dance performances will be incorporated into the exhibition, including several evening performances in the window of the gallery.” The window overlooks the square in front of the Portland Museum of Art.

Original jewelry by Lauren Fensterstock also will be on exhibit.

The Hay Gallery is located at 594 Congress St.. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays. For more information call Laura Fuller or Jan Holder at 773-2513.