Photography exhib at Billsboro Winery to open

GENEVA — Flying Whale Studios and Billsboro Winery present “The Silence of Sand,” an exhibition of photographs by local artist Kevin Schoonover, starting Feb. 18 in Billsboro’s English barn tasting room, 4760 West Lake Rd. The images will be on display until April 1. An opening reception with the artist is scheduled from 4:30 to 7 p.m., Feb. 18. It is free and open to the public. Musical entertainment is provided by the Cool Club Trio. Light fare from Red Dove Tavern will be available.As an antithesis to the snow and low temperatures the Finger Lakes is experiencing this year, “The Silence of Sand” offers an enticing preview of warm ocean breezes, clear blue skies, and nostalgia for the seashores of out youth that never really existed. It features a number of new images celebrating summer vacation and sandy beaches. But with the customary twinge of melancholy and loneliness that the artist’s work has become known for.”I love winter weather as much as the next person — maybe more, but even I’m ready for it to be over,” noted Schoonover. “This show is my way to remind patrons that better days are coming soon. And what better place than a winery for that?”A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology’s graphic design program, Schoonover served as executive director of Wayne County Council for the Arts for five years and the Finger Lakes Regional Arts Council/Smith Opera House, where he had the same title, for nearly 10. In 2009, he started Flying Whale Studios, a professional arts business specializing in the creation of photography and fine art, graphic design, and grant writing and publicity for non-profit organizations. He won Best in Photography at the Canandaigua Christkindl Market in November and will be a part of the Finger Lakes Gallery and Frame “Beginnings” exhibition in March. He lives in Geneva with his wife, Mary. Regular winery hours are 12 to 5 p.m., Wednesday-Friday and Sunday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday. Call 315-789-9538 for details.