September 2017 - Barbara Stanczak

Although born on Mather AFB not far from Sacramento, CA, Barbara spent most of her childhood in the Kankakee, Illinois area. After graduating from Kankakee Eastridge High School in 1970, she attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL and graduated with a BA in Psychology. She married Allan Stanczak in 1975 and began her life as a military wife. Barbara was also a teacher, having taught children from Montessori preschoolers to seniors in high school off and on through the years.

Upon returning to Illinois in 2003 after her husband’s tour of duty with the US Navy in Japan, she discovered watercolor painting and, from there, almost 8 years later, her love for photography began. After moving to Florida in 2012, Barbara received photography instruction through a Crealde School of Art class held in Winter Garden.  “My instructor, Michael van Gelder, really inspired me. I could see and feel the love he had for photography and from that point I had a desire to learn everything I could about it.”

Since then, she has become an avid photographer with a passion for photographing the interesting and beautiful things in the world around her. “I want to capture that amazing moment at the second I discover it because I know that it will never be exactly the same again.” “My passion is light and shadow and the story that it tells. I love details…the little things that so many people pass by. I want to tell their story and share their uniqueness and beauty as well.”

Barbara has had her works shown at the Scott AFB, IL art shows and the gallery at Crealde School of Art. She has participated in juried shows at the Mount Dora Center for the Arts, the Winter Garden Art Association and the Winter Garden City Hall.