The Greenfield Public Library welcomed its first local artist as part of a new program to host monthly art exhibitions. “Clouds in Shades of Gray” by Paul Jablon will be on display in the conference room gallery till the end of February. 

Jablon is a retired high school science teacher and college professor of education who spent over 40 years using photography as a way to engage students and get them interested in learning. He said after retiring in 2014 he was able to dedicate more time to his art.

“I always had to choose between working with my students or working with my photography,” Jablon said. “I wanted to work on my photography and do both simultaneously, but I always choose my students.” 

Jablon said after retiring he found more time to take pictures and sort through old work. While doing so he noticed a trend emerge: most of his work featured clouds. 

“No matter where I was taking photographs I was drawn to the clouds more so than the foreground,” Jablon said. “The clouds changed everything.”

The 12 photos on display at the library all feature clouds Jablon photographed over the years while traveling. From Wyoming to Wendell, Jablon said he has even taken to sitting at scenes waiting for the clouds to roll in and be at just the right spot, as if the clouds were “a paintbrush swiping across the sky.”

Jablon said clouds add texture, movement and intrigue to scenes.

Another trend in his work is the use of black and white. Jablon said working in black and white is his favorite thing to do because he finds it more challenging than working in color.

“It’s so easy to overwhelm with the incredible colors of nature,” Jablon said. 

In addition to working on his art, Jablon has stayed busy in retirement by volunteering in the library and in schools, which is how he first became aware of possible opportunities to display his work at the library. He said he volunteered with the library building committee a few years ago and one focus of discussions was on how to incorporate more art into the library, particularly from local artists. 

Last June the Board of Library Policies adopted an Art Exhibit Policy, outlining a procedure for artists to apply to have an exhibition at the library, the selection criteria, and how and where art can be displayed at the library. In December the library put out a call for artists to submit their proposals and received six applications for artists looking to have a one-to-two month exhibit at the library in either of the conference rooms or the children’s room.

Jablon was selected to be the library’s first artist on display and held his opening reception on Tuesday, Feb. 4. He said all are encouraged to pop in and take a look at his work and are invited to write about their own experiences with clouds in the exhibit guest book. 

Copies of his work are available for purchase. Prices range from $175 to $195. To learn more about his work or to purchase a piece, Jablon can be reached at synergyofinquiry@gmail.com.

“Clouds in Shades of Gray” will be on display at the library at 412 Main Street, Greenfield, until Feb. 28.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.