Symphony of Leaves

Two years ago, Deana Sasdelli’s creative life changed on the shore of southern New Jersey. “Heavy mist shrouded the beach one morning, and people began walking into the mist and disappearing,” says Sasdelli, who was there on a sojourn from Asheville. “It was eerie and yet extremely alluring.” She grabbed her cell phone and captured the moment, not knowing that a single photograph from the series would propel her into the world of art photography. Now a photographer by trade, Sasdelli immortalizes all things “challenging and unusual” — from many-layered dahlias to chromatic sea glass. As a member of the Swannanoa Valley Art League (SVAL), she has submitted work to the group’s fall show, Symphony of Leaves. According to a press statement, the exhibit invites regional makers to reconnect with the region’s bounty of foliage. “By focusing on leaves, artists are encouraged to experiment and push the boundaries of their creativity,” SVAL shares. “The leaf, a seemingly simple and familiar object, becomes a gateway to innovation and discovery.” Sasdelli has interpreted the theme quite literally, photographing a violin nestled in a bed of greenery. “The simpleness of the hosta leaves is in contrast to the violin’s engineered design and music,” she says. “Both are beautiful.”