Photographs by Richard L. Casagrande, Ellinwood, are on display this month at the Barton County Arts Center, located at Forest and Main in Great Bend. The Arts Center is open weekday afternoons. The public can meet Casagrande during a reception from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Arts Center.

Casagrande is the owner of the Ellinwood Emporium, which is an antique, art and consignment shop. He also operates the Ellinwood Underground and give tours daily. He is a Certified Appraiser of Personal Property and teaches the appraisal of fine arts for the International Society of Appraisers at Northern Illinois University.

Photography has been his hobby for over 30 years and he began participating in photographic exhibitions in the 1980s, while living in San Antonio, Texas.

With a Bachelor of Arts (Art History) from the University of California at Berkeley and a master’s in the same subject from San Jose State University, Casabrande has been actively engaged in the arts and working with museums for many years. He has worked with the Haggin Museum at Stockton, Calif., and the Hertzberg and Witte Museums in San Antonio, as well as serving in various capacities with the San Antonio Museum Association, the San Antonio Art League and the Texas Association of Museums.

The color photos include macro photography and images that have been digitally manipulated. One photo shows an interesting bit in the facade of the Star Antiques building in Ellinwood; in a companion photo, the bricks appear to be melting.

This program is supported in part by support from The City of Great Bend and CPI Qualified Plan Consultants. The Barton County Arts Council is a non-profit charitable and educational organization, supported by individuals, organizations and businesses.