50 Years of The Ground Glass

The Ground Glass, one of the most highly regarded photographic societies in Westchester, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. During this milestone year, the organization honors its half-century story with two exhibitions.

“The state of photography is so fundamentally different than it was when we were founded in 1975,” says Joe Carline, Vice President of The Ground Glass. “Photography wasn’t as ubiquitous and digital didn’t exist. However, what remains the same is our mission — we are not just hobbyists; we see photography as an art form that we are actively participating in.”

The Ground Glass was founded in 1975 by Renata Rainer to give photographers a space in which they could enhance and explore their craft, engage in dialogue with a community of fellow creatives, and get inspired. It has since worked with members from all walks of life, organized a multitude of exhibitions, and hosted many notable guest speakers. The group also aims to embrace the evolving nature of the medium, from traditional darkroom practices to cutting-edge digital techniques. All work is welcomed and celebrated, according to Carline.

A Dedication to the Craft

The Ground Glass members gather once a month from September through June at The Rye Arts Center (RAC), alternating between ‘member salons’ and talks or demonstrations led by guest speakers. During ‘member salons,’ members present their work one by one to the group for critique. “We conduct the group discussions in a way that is very constructive and helpful to the photographer,” says the group’s president, Allison Rodilosso. “You’re in a vulnerable position while you’re up there, but we want honest feedback about what makes a good photo and what doesn’t.”

In months when the group invites in guest speakers, the members gain valuable information from professionals in the industry and have the opportunity to ask questions that can help guide their own creative practice.

In addition to monthly meetings, The Ground Glass typically hosts two exhibitions a year, also hosted at the RAC. All members are given the opportunity to submit prints for possible inclusion in the show, which is usually curated by an expert in the field and juried by an outside member. In other cases, the exhibition committee will self-juror along with help from RAC staff. “We’d be remiss if we did not extend our gratitude to the RAC,” says Carline. “They are an integral part of keeping us together and they have been so supportive.”

The Ground Glass: Sharing Common Humanity

The Ground Glass will once again present two upcoming juried member exhibitions in its milestone year. The first takes place at Chroma Fine Art Gallery in Katonah from November 11 to December 7, with an opening reception on November 15. The second exhibition will be held at The Rye Arts Center from April 20 to May 16, 2026. Each collective exhibition will showcase a unique body of work representing about 25-30 members and display a range of subject matter and creative freedoms.

By sharing work with the community, Ground Glass members hope that viewers feel a sense of connection and are able to relate what they see on the walls to their own experiences. “It’s really important in society that people can see through artwork that they are not alone,” says Rodilosso. “We love when the public engages with our shows because we want them to feel inspired, seen, and heard—or simply just enjoy the experience of seeing something beautiful that conveys a message.”

One thing that sets apart The Ground Glass from other photography groups is its priority of upholding individual vision. The group does not require members to shoot any one thing in particular. All members have different styles and subjects they like to work with, whether it be landscape, portraits, street, or abstract.

Following this model, the members are able to spend their time working on projects they are passionate about, developing their vision among like-minded creatives. Patrick Cicalo, a member of The Ground Glass, explains: “[The group helps] members get their portfolios together, preparing them for exhibitions or producing a book/monograph. The print is king — seeing the image on the wall validates what we do and what we work towards.”

While the kind of gear members work with varies, the group as a whole doesn’t spend much time diving into the technical aspects of photography. They are much more interested in the spirit of an image and what is at the core of the project.

“Photography is everywhere today,” says Rodilosso. “Everyone is producing images, but The Ground Glass is aspiring for a higher level. We’re trying to convey emotions and execute a vision through photography — it’s really about sharing our common humanity with other people through images.”

The first 50th anniversary exhibition is on view at Chroma Fine Art Gallery from November 11 to December 7, with an opening reception on November 15.

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_{Photos (top to bottom): Alison Rodilosso, A Moment For Contemplation; Dennis Dilmaghani, Sierra Nevada Range & Alabama Hills; Randy Matusow, Untitled; Joe Carline, Japan No.5; Patrick Cicalo, The Empty Chair}