romance : affair of the heart, amour, enchantment, fascination, fling, intrigue, love, passion, relationship, fanciful story or narrative.

February is the month of romance. The tradition of sending Valentine cards originated with St Valentine. One legend has it that he was imprisoned for defying Claudius’s decree that young men should not marry. Single men made better soldiers according to Claudius. Valentine thought this to be unjust and performed marriage ceremonies in secret. When Claudius found out, Valentine was imprisoned. During Valentines incarceration, he sent the first “valentine” greeting to a young girl he fell in love with. He signed the greeting, “From your Valentine”.

There are many interpretations of “Romance”. From a couple holding hands to swans swimming on a serene lake. From traditional hearts and flowers to a pair of little birds sitting on a wire.

Amanda Smith will be the juror of “Romance”. Amanda is the director of A Smith Gallery and an accomplished photographer. She has won numerous awards and her work is included in many collections.

The images selected for the exhibition will be displayed informally along the long walls on the sides of the gallery. There will be no framing and the prints will be hung from the ceiling with ribbons and clips forming an “installation” of the hanging prints along the walls. A Blurb full color catalogue of the exhibit with all the accepted entries will be available for purchase.