Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Ruggiero.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was introduced to BW darkroom photography in High School. I fell in love with the darkroom process and signed up for an independent study project in BW photography. New York City became my muse. I spent my days roaming the streets of NYC and nights printing in the darkroom. NYC was on fire in the 70s and my goal was to capture the grit, grime, and protest of the 60s-70s. After numerous shows in NYC and Long Island, I was hooked and spent most of my senior year behind the camera and in the darkroom. After I graduated high school, I took a long hiatus from photography to study music. After performing the NYC Jazz circuit in the 70s, I moved to Los Angeles, married, had 3 kids, divorced, and worked in the entertainment industry as an Interactive Producer and Designer. After my kids graduated college, I bought a camera and revisited my passion for image making. I recently moved to Joshua Tree where I opened a studio in my garage experimenting with alternative image making and ceramics. I continue to explore my creativity reconnecting with my passions for art and music. Please see the excerpt from my Bio for more…
Born and raised in New York City, with a lifelong passion for music and art, photographer Jennifer Ruggiero’s pursuit of a music career brought her from the Jazz clubs of New York to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. Deciding to stay, she married, raised three children, and became an Interactive Producer and Designer on projects for HBO, Comedy Central, Mattel, and Warner Brothers. Later, she switched to a career in education, designing and teaching classes in Digital Imaging and New Media Production.
Throughout her life and various careers, Ruggiero has maintained an enduring interest in photography—photographing people, natural landscapes, and abandoned buildings.
Ruggiero received a degree in music from the Leonard Davis Center of Performing Arts in NYC and Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles.
Jennifer’s work has been exhibited throughout Southern California and New York, including NYU; DNJ Gallery, Bergamot Station; The Cause Gallery, Los Angeles; Gallery62, Joshua Tree; and The Twenty-nine Palms Inn. Recent publications include, Duncan Miller Gallery – Your Daily Photograph; Creative Lenz, NYC; F-Stop Magazine; Lenscratch; RAP- 10 By Jeffrey Crussell – An International Photographic Survey; High Desert Test Sites – Limited Edition Postcard Project; and The Los Angeles Center for Photography.
Please tell us about your art.
I am a photographer and clay artist. I recently moved to the Mojave Desert where I am exploring alternative methods of image making and mediums of creative expression using clay and found objects.
Do you have any advice for other artists? Any lessons you wished you learned earlier?
Fully pursue your passion regardless of the hardships. Don’t settle for less than what you deserve. Be open to all possibilities and leave your attitude behind. There is always someone bigger and better than you. Never stop until your satisfied and never loose site of your dreams.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
On my website http://jenniferruggiero.zenfolio.com/ Gallery62, Joshua Tree and JTAG, Joshua Tree.
One of my night sky photographs was recently chosen for The YUCCA VALLEY VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Inaugural Exhibition “GROUND TO SKY: Night Sky Photography” Jun 2 – Aug 11, 2018
Featuring artworks from fifteen legendary and esteemed night sky photographers, the inaugural exhibition will touch upon the two strongest ingredients of beauty and influence of the Mojave… the incredible desert and its ability to fascinate artists and the amazing celestial expansive universe captured by a group of photographers who wander the desert to capture what hovers above.
Contact Info:
- Address: Jennifer Ruggiero
- Website: http://jenniferruggiero.zenfolio.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_ruggiero_photography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JRuggieroPhotography
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/wonder_valley_museum_of_art/
Image Credit:
Jennifer Ruggiero
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
