We return to in-person meetings in April 2026!

Ripley Grier Studios
520 8th Ave. (between 36th & 37th St.)
Studio 17C
Note: All visitors must present ID at the front desk to enter the building. Please plan in advance to allow a few extra minutes to accommodate this.

Curtain Raiser: SANDRA PIKE

“My relationship with photography began in Osaka, Japan, when I was gifted my first Canon EOS. I began to learn about composition, color and how to communicate visually. At the same time, I started my career in publishing, and my image making became paired with my apprenticeship in the interplay of book design, content and visuals.

Through a 25-year, publishing career in Japan, Hong Kong and New York, I have brought a multidisciplinary, 360-degree perspective to my interaction with the visual world. I created fine art photography throughout, participating in group exhibits wherever I lived, and with individual works published in books and magazines. I’ve also had a short film shortlisted at a Canadian International Women’s Film and Video Festival.

In my volunteer life, I serve as a Board Member of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation, and a Director of the American Friends of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation. In these roles, I promote the knowledge and understanding of Canadian art and culture in the U.S.

A lifelong learner, I’ve taken classes with the School of Visual Art in New York and ICP. I’m currently completing a Certificate in Photography with the Rhode Island School of Design.

My current work looks at the layered depths that make up our relationship with Place and in answering the question, ‘What is it about a land that makes us love it so much?’”

GUEST SPEAKER LORI SAUNDERS: LIGHT PAINTING AND SURREALISM

“As an artist, my current passion is using light as my paintbrush to create other-worldly images caught entirely in-camera through long exposure photography. I began developing black and white photographs in a dark room, transfixed to see images slowly appear through chemical solutions.  I always tried for something unique, which led to my interest in abstract photography and creating images with light.

First, I learned how to move a light source over a subject in a painting motion to illuminate it. Then, I discovered my passion for painting with light alone—light drawing—where I move lights in patterns to create surreal images. I love that every light painting image is unique because of the infinite ways light interacts with painting tools, colors, movement, surroundings, and camera settings.

I am located in the Northern Virginia area and enjoy presenting to groups, conducting workshops, or instructing one-on-one either virtually or in person.  I am an instructor with Capital Photography Center in 2026: https://capitalphotographycenter.com/.”