<p>Gwen Small's primary career consisted of teaching writing, and English as a Second Language. During that time, she enjoyed sharing her love for the arts with her students, arranging school trips to local theater, opera, and art galleries. She took classes in drawing and art history for the pleasure. After retirement, she had the time to pursue artistic interests in more depth.</p>
<p>Marcel Proust said "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but seeing with new eyes.” The popularization of digital photography opened a new doorway of artistic expression for Gwen. A local MOPA photography class for seniors inspired her to bring “new eyes” to photography and to pursue it as an art form, rather than just a means of documenting trips or events. Bringing “new eyes” to even the most unlikely or mundane photographic subjects has enriched her life. Even when she doesn't have her camera in hand, her perception and appreciation of her surroundings is enhanced by this expanded vision.</p>
<p>Gwen is a member of the Foothills Art Association. In addition to showing her work at their gallery, her prize winning photography has been exhibited at the Fallbrook Art Association, the La Jolla Art Association, St.Mark’s annual juried show, the City of San Diego Senior Photography show, the Front Porch Gallery, The Escondido Art Gallery, The San Diego Museum of Photographic Art (auction), and The San Diego Art Institute (auction). She was selected as one of 52 winners to be honored out of 850 entries at a show sponsored by Inova, in Reno Nevada. In addition to being on display at the Reno Airport, this art was published in a coffee table book.</p>