Stillness of life is show's focus

This photograph, "Gingko Leaf," by Grazina Stolia, is among those on display in the art gallery of the Academy of Music on Main Street, Spotswood.

SPOTSWOOD - A new exhibit at the Academy of Music on Main Street focuses on the works of New Jersey photographer Grazina Strolia.

"Life. Still." opened Sunday and will run through June 20.

Strolia, of Highland Park, began her love of photography at an early age when she was given a camera.

"I spent my childhood without a TV," she said. "So I've developed the ability to be still for long periods of time and to appreciate the little things the world is busy doing that we're too busy to notice. This show, I'd like to think, is an outcome of that ability."

Photography, Strolia said, is by its nature frozen motion.

"But these photographs are more still than that; they represent moments in time that somehow just are."

Strolia studied photography at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, where she also received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and graduated magna cum laude. She has also worked as the head photographer for Pathmark's advertising studio.

Academy of Music Director Melody Blasenheim said she was particularly impressed with the detail and beauty of Grazina's work.

"There is a peacefulness and nurturing quality to all her photographs," Blasenheim said.

Gallery hours are Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.