"Kiss Me" is by Linda Jackman of Jefferson Township, a newcomer to the Associated Artists of Butler County who will be exhibiting for the first time at The Art Center during the photography show opening Friday.

The Associated Artists of Butler County celebrate the art of photography with their upcoming exhibit opening at 7 p.m. Friday at The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.

The exhibit features 85 photographs by 25 photographers representing 12 different towns from as far away as Elizabeth, Pa., and Findlay Lake, N.Y.

“This is the first all-photography exhibit we've held in several years, and the photographers really responded to it,” said AABC President Paul Scanlon.

“We have quite a variety of shooting styles, subject material and printing techniques on display,” he said.

Linda Jackman of Jefferson Township, a newcomer to the AABC but a veteran photographer, has entered several examples of her portraiture collection.

Jackman studied photography for more than five years, including classes at Butler County Community College, and went pro about 13 years ago.

Jackman's photograph entitled “Knock Knock” is a sweet depiction of a boy with a flower behind his back, but there is more to the story. Jackman is a visual story teller.

“The boy spots a beautiful flower in a planter and thinks his mom would love that. So he picks the flower — roots and all — proudly knocks on the door waiting to give it to her,” Jackman said.

Another of her works, “Kiss Me,” is quite lovely.

“Every little girl secretly waits for her prince. Maybe there is truth in fairy tales,” Jackman said of her inspiration for this piece.

Jackman, who has won multiple awards online and has several photos in the Getty Image gallery, recently joined the AABC and will be exhibiting for the first time.

“I just really wanted to be involved in the art community a bit more,” she said.Jackman is known locally for her unique portraits of children and family which inspire her.“I am intrigued by the innocence of a child's thought process,” she said.“I see my style as conceptual and timeless. I usually have an idea or a story in my head and I ponder it until I know it's complete, then I pull all of the elements together as best I can,” she said.Her newborn baby photographs are the most challenging, she said.“Newborns are the trickiest of all,” Jackman said. “They have personality immediately; some are not so happy with being handled and others couldn't care less. They require patience and more patience. I have poses I like to use on my newbies; I talk to the parents to find out their style and then I try to incorporate that with my vision.”The photography show will have cash awards. Best of Show carries a $100 cash award.Other awards will be $50 for first place, $25 for second place and $10 for third place in the following categories: nature and landscapes, people and portraits, abstracts and altered reality, travel, architectural, man-made objects, and an open category for any other subjects.The show runs through July 27 and also features works by AABC regulars such as Aryl Bashline, Dan Stainer and Bethany Boarts, who is currently teaching photography classes at The Art Center.Upcoming exhibits include the Nature & Wildlife Juried Art Exhibit, which has a submission deadline of June 30. That show will run Aug. 3 to 30.

<B>WHO: </B>Associated Artists of Butler County<B>WHAT: </B>Photography show<B>WHEN: </B>Reception at 7 p.m. Friday, then exhibit continues through July 27. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and noon to 9 p.m. Fridays.<B>WHERE: </B>The Art Center, 344 S. Main St.<B>INFO: </B>724-283-6922 or www.aabcartcenter.com

“Knock Knock” by Linda Jackman will be on exhibit during the Associated Artists of Butler County's photography show that opens Friday and runs through July 27 at The Art Center. A reception will be held to kick off the event at 7 p.m. Friday.