Pete Eckert, Night Dream, 40 x 30, print edition of 12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE : New York, NY : July 30, 2008
Leo Kesting Gallery in collaboration with 3rd Ward and Artists Wanted Presents:
Exposure Photo Competiton Winner, Pete Eckert
Opening Event: Thursday, August 7th, 6 pm – 9 pm
Press Preview: Thursday, August 7th, 5 pm – 6 pm
Exhibition Dates: Thursday August 7th – Sunday August 10th
Public Projection Series: Monday August 4th – Wednesdsay August 6th
Location: Leo Kesting Gallery, 812 Washington Street, NYC (at Ganesvoort Street)

Pete Eckert is announced the winner of Exposure, photo competition.

New York, NY—“I never really took photography seriously until I went totally blind.” This extraordinary statement comes from Pete Eckert a uniquely talented photographer who was just announced the winner of the major photography competition: “Exposure” hosted by Artists Wanted.

Following in the footsteps of recent public art exhibitions that have permeated the city, Mr. Eckert’s work will be shown in an ambitious public display spanning the top art districts of New York City. The figurative work, which features explosions of light and teeters on the verge of abstraction, will be projected on a massive scale on buildings and rooftops within Chelsea, Dumbo and Williamsburg. The projection series will culminate in an opening at the Leo Kesting Gallery in the Meat Packing District on Thursday August 7th.

Over the past three months, Artists Wanted received hundreds of submissions from photographers spanning 14 countries and every corner of the United States. Three judges selected the winning artist: New York Times Photo Editor Patrick Witty, Fashion Icon Tiiu Kuik and NYC Gallery Owner David Kesting.

“In this competition we were overwhelmed by the variety of powerful work submitted” states William Etundi, co-founder of Artists Wanted. “Many entrants had amazing back stories, however it was Pete’s unique photography that stood out to the judges. Knowing his process deepens the experience with his photos but the imagery on its own is simply stunning.”

“The goal of Artists Wanted is to launch exceptional talents in innovative ways,” says Jason Goodman who founded Artists Wanted only a year ago; “by projecting Mr. Eckert’s work across the city we hope to expose his images and story to the widest audience possible.”

The projection series will run from Monday August 4th through Wednesday August 6th. On Thursday August 7th Mr. Eckert joins the press and art-loving public for an opening and party at the Leo Kesting Gallery from 6 pm to 9 pm with a special press preview from 5 pm to 6 pm.

“By memorizing the event of taking photos using sound and touch I have a clear minds eye view of my work. I could do conceptual art by showing the contact sheets and do a write-up about the event of shooting the photos. This would eliminate sighted people from my process. I don't. I want' to interact with sighted people. I am trying to cut a path as a blind artist. By interacting with sighted people I am building bridges.” - Pete Eckert

Artists Wanted is an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for emerging talent and transforming the process of breaking into the professional art world. For this project, they are joined by a group of sponsors who share their interest in creating new opportunities for artists: JPG Magazine, 3rd Ward, PhotoShelter, Endless Room, the Williamsburg Gallery Association and Leo Kesting Gallery.

For press inquires and/or high res images, please contact Nikki Bagli at 718.715.4961 or info@artistswanted.org.

The Exposure Competition is Proudly Sponsored by:

Artists Wanted : a collaborative project between several New York City artists and creative organizations working to build new lasting opportunities for emerging talent. We have experienced first hand the difficulties in breaking into the professional art world and it is their mission to make this process more welcoming, dynamic and open-ended. www.artistswanted.org

JPG is a community-created, award-winning magazine for photographers and writers who want inspiration, camaraderie, and connection. The world’s vast array of distributed talent showcased in JPG Magazine provides unique insight and a fresh point of view. www.jpgmag.com

3rd Ward in East Williamsburg Brooklyn is a member-based, multi-arts, mega space for creative professionals. We are committed to helping artists further their careers and creative projects and offer two gorgeous photo studios, a professional wood and metal shop, a fully loaded digital media lab, an art gallery, shared office space and a multi-disciplinary continuing art education program. www.3rdward.com

PhotoShelter is the leading online destination where image buyers connect with a community of independent photographers seeking to market their work. The PhotoShelter Collection is a global image marketplace where 17,000 photographers from 130 different countries submit a stream of 4,000 new images daily for rights managed and royalty free licensing – and where they keep an unprecedented 70% of every sale. At PhotoShelter, image buyers find a freshness of choices that results when accomplished pros and undiscovered hobbyists can share their distinct perspectives in an edited collection designed to add diversity and authenticity to any creative project. www.photoshelter.com

Endless Room is the destination for art online. As a social marketplace, EndlessRoom connects artists, art lovers and art establishments through collaboration, communication, promotion, and commerce. We are committed to opening the avenues of interaction between artists, collectives, galleries, schools, museums and everyone who lives and loves art. www.endlessroom.com

Williamsburg Gallery Association aids and encourages the public presentation of local and international art in the vicinity of greater Williamsburg as an integral and necessary component of an ongoing creative dialogue. Toward this end, we promote the art venues of Williamsburg through public programs, advertising, and collaborative events. www.williamsburggalleryassociation.com

Leo Kesting Gallery Founded in October 2007 by David Kesting and John Leo, Leo Kesting Gallery seeks to expose our artists and those of our sister gallery Capla Kesting Fine Art. After opening its doors 4 years earlier in the gallery hub of Williamsburg Brooklyn, Leo Kesting offers the art viewing public an opportunity to see forthcoming talents in an intimate setting. Leo Kesting constantly seeks new undiscovered artists with a cutting edge to their craft that would be otherwise missed by the contemporary art scene. In this way, we present our collectors with an off the beaten path approach to acquiring artwork that shines in our minds and culture. www.leokesting.com