Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it. (Confucius)
A life-long St. Louisan, photography has been a part of my world since childhood. I purchased my first 35 mm camera when I was 12 years old, and within a few years I had won enough photo contests to buy an enlarger and set up a darkroom in my parents' basement. I studied photography at Webster University, and started my first photo business as a student, continuing it for another 8 years after graduation.
When recurrent depression and anxiety seep into my life, I use photography not only as a means of self-expression, but also to mindfully distract myself, quell the pain, and regain my sense of hope. My camera is a tool for healing, and working in the darkroom, and now processing photos digitally, is a way for me to feel real peace, to focus my psyche on the act of creating meaning and beauty. It is a way for me to share my soul with the world.
Contact Me:
I love getting emails! Please feel free to send me a message at annwidner@gmail.com
Group and Juried Exhibits:
2019
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Cars and Dogs, Online Annex Exhibition, Blackbox Gallery, Portland, Oregon
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Summertime and the Living is Easy, Women in Focus, Webster Groves Public Library, St. Louis, Missouri
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Beauty All Around, Women in Focus, Ethical Society of St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
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Summer Afternoon, OOAK Artisans Gallery, Rome, New York
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Vision: Shadow and Light, Online Annex Exhibition, Blackbox Gallery, Portland, Oregon
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All Things Past, OOAK Artisans Gallery, Rome, New York
2018
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Photography Potpourri, Women in Focus, Webster Groves Library, St. Louis, Missouri
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Social Justice: A Woman’s View, Women in Focus, Webster Groves Christian Church, St. Louis, Missouri
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Transportation: Art at the Station, Women in Focus, Kirkwood Train Station, Kirkwood, Missouri
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Favorites, Women in Focus, Third Degree Glass Factory, St. Louis, Missouri
2017
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Presence II: A Focus on the Human Element, Framations Art Gallery, St. Charles, Missouri
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Small Works IV, Webster Arts, Webster Groves Public Library, Webster Groves, Missouri
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Beyond the Lens XI, Framations Art Gallery, St. Charles, Missouri
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7th Annual Cityscapes Art Competition, Light, Space, Time Art Gallery
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Hearts on Fire – Passion, Women in Focus Group at Third Degree Glass Factory, St. Louis, Missouri
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Geometric by Design, Framations Art Gallery, St. Charles, Missouri
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Figurative Art Exhibition, Light, Space, Time Art Gallery
2016
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5th Annual Seasons Art Competition, Light, Space, Time Art Gallery
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33September, MySLART at Old Orchard Gallery, Webster Groves, Missouri
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Into the Darkness, Framations Art Gallery, St. Charles, Missouri
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Fins, Feathers, and Fur, Soulard Art Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri
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Inspiration, Women in Focus Group, Gretchen Brigham Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri
Awards:
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Honorable Mention, Missouri Life Magazine’s Annual Photo Contest, 2019
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Special Recognition, Figurative Art Exhibition, Light, Space, Time Art Gallery, 2017
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Special Recognition, 7th Annual Cityscapes Art Competition, Light, Space, Time Art Gallery, 2017
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Honorable Mention, Presence II: A Focus on the Human Element, Framations Art Gallery, St. Charles, Missouri, 2017
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First Place, Into the Darkness, Framations Art Gallery , St. Charles, Missouri, 2016
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Honorable Mention, 5th Annual Seasons Art Competition, Light, Space, Time Art Gallery, 2016