Poland native sets up shop in Gloversville
Photographer’s work on display at Fulton County chamber till Nov. 24By KAYLEIGH KARUTIS, The Leader-Herald
Article Photos
GLOVERSVILLE - Local artist and Poland native Don Chase said coming to Gloversville to pursue his life's passion was an opportunity he just couldn't pass up.
Chase, 56, came to Gloversville in 2008 and has since opened a studio on North Main Street. He's also preparing to launch Omega Arts, a collection of art by numerous artists to be used in hospitals, nursing homes and other health-related venues.
Chase's trajectory toward Gloversville is not a straight one; after experimenting in photography in New York City, where he was raised after emigrating from Poland at 14 years old, Chase moved from one state to another, including Florida, Michigan and Arizona.
As a child, he wanted to work for Life magazine, but in his senior year of high school, just as he was preparing to send a portfolio of photos to the magazine for consideration, it shut down. Chase ended up going to school for journalism, he said.
"My family urged me to consider something more practical [than photography]," Chase said.
Eventually, he developed his own businesses and became self-employed, a status he has kept for 22 years, he said. He worked in marketing, management, and eventually lived on his own ranch, but his desire to pursue photography never left him.
Over the years, Chase began focusing his lens on the theme of tenacity, and the tenaciousness of the country's early settlers. He photographed the artifacts of early religious missions near Mexico, and chronicled the harrowing journey of a family shipwrecked on the coast of Florida in 1699.
"Tenacity is a central theme I'm on right now," he said. "I want to inspire people to be more tenacious about what they believe. We tend to follow what is convenient. I want to inspire people not to give up, to follow their passion."
Chase's own tenacity and passion for photography led him to Gloversville, which he said is a perfect marriage of affordable living and proximity to the nature of the Adirondacks. He moved here in 2008 and purchased a three-story space previously owned by Mike Teetz of Glove City Realty.
"It was just a great opportunity," he said. "It's hugely affordable, and I needed to be close to my work."
Teetz, who sold Chase his studio space, said he was glad to welcome Chase to the community.
"His work is beautiful and personal," Teetz said. "He's very talented and an asset to our community."
Chase's work on the theme of tenacity, photographs he took as a teenager in New York City's Lower East Side, and a group of photographs focused on the healing power of nature are on display at the Fulton County Regional Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Chamber President Wally Hart said he has one of Chase's pieces hanging above his desk. He called Chase's work "unique" and "eye-catching."
"He just has an amazing eye," he said. "I could take a photograph of something, but I don't capture what he captures. He sees things differently. [His art] makes you wonder, and see things you wouldn't normally see."
In addition to his studio and the display at the chamber, Chase is preparing to launch Omega Arts, an image database with art from about 270 artists for hospitals, medical offices, corporate offices and other spaces.
His own photography of nature led him to the idea for the business. After the death of his parents in the early 2000s, Chase said he found comfort and healing in the beauty of nature.
"It provided me with a ray of hope. It lifted my spirit," he said.
Later, Chase found that studies have proven the healing power of nature. It makes sense, he said, to have nature-focused artwork in health-related facilities like hospitals and nursing homes.
Chase also is working on several books, one of which he expects will be finished soon. He said he also is mulling over several other ideas for different businesses.
"I'm just glad to have this opportunity," Chase said.
Chase's work can be viewed at the chamber until Nov. 24.
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Discobulous
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11-09-09 12:39 PM
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This is all good, but people will only buy so much art because they only have so much wall space. Hope it works.
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