EMMALEE RATHSAM Studio Grand Opening + 366 Photographs

February 12, 2025 in Exhibitions

Join me on March 7, 2025 for the Grand Opening of my photography studio located in Downtown Kansas City on the 2nd floor of the Zhou B Art Center. For 13 years, Lawrence, Kansas was the home of my photography studio. Excited to now call Kansas City home!

The opening reception for 366 PHOTOGRAPHS, a daily photography project, will be held on March 7, 2025 from 5:00pm-8:00pm.

On New Years Day, I filled my camera with images of New York City and decided I would embark on a journey of self-discovery by creating an image each day.

At the beginning of the year, I simply photographed something that brought me joy or something that documented the day. Over time my collection of daily images has expanded to include images of insects, flowers, and travel.

Discipline and a never ending search for inspiration are the two intentions that form the foundation of this project.

Please RSVP here.

Homage to the Hand | New Exhibition at Kansas City's Zhou B Art Center

February 12, 2025 in Exhibitions

Two of my fine art photographs, Detached and Marionette, will be included in the Zhou B Art Center’s newest exhibition, Homage to the Hand. Join me on Thursday, February 20th from 6:00-9:00pm for Opening Night!

Homage to the Hand is an exhibition that delves into the intimate relationship between creators and their materials. This show celebrates the act of creation as both a physical and conceptual journey, highlighting the evidence of artistic process—layers, erasures, repetitions, and intuitions that shape a finished piece.

Mark making transcends the boundaries of medium. Each mark is a record of time, motion, and emotion, capturing fleeting decisions, unexpected accidents, and the rhythm of labor. Homage to the Hand highlights Kansas City artists who embrace the tactile nature of their practice, offering viewers an intimate glimpse into their creative processes.

The selected artists span a range of disciplines, each demonstrating a unique connection to their materials. Through their work, they reveal the labor, precision, and spontaneity embedded in mark-making, honoring the history and tradition of craft while pushing its boundaries in contemporary contexts. This exhibition emphasizes the irreplaceable presence of the human hand in an era increasingly dominated by digital processes and mechanized production. It stands as a tribute to the intimate relationship between artist and material, reminding us that every mark, whether intentional or accidental, is a reflection of the artist’s presence, experience, and vision.

Icon International Photography Awards

December 18, 2024 in Awards

I am excited to announce that eight of my images have been recognized with awards by Icon International Photography Awards. Three images placed in the Top 10 and are finalists in their respective categories.

Icon International Photography Awards is one of the most prestigious international image competitions in the world. For the first time, with a score of 94, I received a Gold award, along with two Silver Distinction awards, and five Silver awards. With three images being finalists, I have been invited to participate in the print competition. The next step is to print those images, mat them and ship them out to Vegas where they will be judged again at WPPI on March 16th and 17th for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Once the awards ceremony takes place on March 18th, I will be able to share the three finalist images. Until then, check out the images below that have already been scored and awarded.

I am honored to be recognized alongside so many incredible photographers!

*Put Together* | 84 | Silver Distrinction | Creative Division | Portrait Creative Individual | Icon International Photography Awards

*Dollhouse* | 81 | Silver | Creative Division | Fashion + Beauty | Icon International Photography Awards

*Hope* | 81 | Silver | Portrait Division | Children | Icon International Photography Awards

*Latin Quarter, Paris* | 82 | Silver | Portrait Division | Portrait Narrative | Icon International Photography Awards

Lady in Black | 81 | Silver | Portrait Division | Individual | Icon International Photography Awards

8x8 Juried Exhibition | The Lawrence Arts Gallery | November 8th

October 31, 2024 in Exhibitions

One of my newest fine art prints, a self-portrait with an artificial intelligence theme, titled ‘Eva’, was accepted in the 8x8 Juried Exhibition. The opening reception and awards presentation will begin at 5:00pm at The Lawrence Arts Center on Friday, November 8, 2024.

The Lawrence Arts Center invited artists to submit artwork that is 8 inches by 8 inches. This call for entries encouraged both established and emerging artists to submit. Submissions were open to any medium and subject matter in the stated size perimeter. The guest juror is the incomparable vanessa german!

Each artwork is one of a kind and was submitted by artists from around the country. The Lawrence Arts Center is incredibly excited to debut this collaborative and expansive exhibition with the public.

lawrenceartscenter.org/event/8-x-8-juried-exhibition/

366 Photographs | 2024 Daily Project

January 01, 2024

2024 started alongside hundreds of thousands of people in Times Square as my husband and I crossed the intersection of 49th Street and 7th Avenue at just the right moment to see the ball drop.

On New Years Day, I filled my camera with images of New York City and decided I would embark on a journey of self-discovery by creating an image each day.

At the beginning of the year, I simply photographed something that brought me joy or something that documented the day. Over time my collection of daily images has expanded to include images of insects, flowers and travel.

Discipline and a never ending search for inspiration are the two intentions that form the foundation of this project.