Photographer Mark Kiryluk Opens Debut Exhibit, THROUGH MY EYES, THROUGH THE YEARS, Today

In his debut exhibit, photographer Mark Kiryluk will be presenting a panoramic collection of his photography taken during his 40-year career. The exhibit, "Through My Eyes, Through The Years," will be held at ABC Custom Framing located in Denver's University Hills Shopping Center tonight, August 22, 5-10 pm, and is free and open to the public. A wine reception with Mr. Kiryluk will open the evening festivities.

"Through my Eyes, Through the Years": The Collection
Composed of primarily black and white photos, "Through My Eyes, Through The Years" offers the public the first viewing of over 80 photographs taken by the artist from his own extensive private collection and a glimpse into the life of Mr. Kiryluk. The exhibit highlights works that capture up-close and personal scenes such as street photographs of downtown Denver, including viaducts, homeless people and well-known neighborhoods such as Washington Park. Also on display will be a series of photographs depicting famous faces by Mr. Kiryluk, including Allen Ginsburg, Andy Warhol, author William Barrett, Betty White, Rosemary Clooney, Pope John Paul II and others. A third series of photographs both black and white, and color, is comprised of images from Mark's travels to China and Russia depicting real life and the human experience.

ABC Custom Framing, located at 2550 S Colorado Blvd in Denver (ABCCustomFraming.net) will host the collection through September. Though the works will not be available for purchase at the exhibit, any interested parties may contact the artist directly at markkiryluk@comcast.net.

About the Artist
A Denver-based long-time photographer with decades of travel to foreign countries, Mark Kiryluk began his career as an artist in 1966 after enrolling at the Bauhaus-influenced Werkkunstschule in Wiesbaden, Germany, studying Maleri (painting). Mark saw that photography and art (both commercial and fine art) had much in common. While continuing todevelop his skills as a painter under the mentorship of Oskar Kolb and a strong desire to learn more about photography, Mark taught himself the basics of photography and darkroom techniques through trial and error working with an older twin lens reflex camera. He spent countless hours behind the lens taking photos of people with a special affinity for street photography. He also enjoyed working in the darkroom in which he became very proficient.

Returning to the U.S in 1969, Mark enrolled at the Paier school of Art in Hamden, CT studying under Dean Keller (one of the original Monuments Men), Ken Davies and Rudolf Zallinger. Having then been drafted, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and spent four years as a Still Camera Specialist and Lab Tech at Lowry Air Force Base Denver, launching his career in photography. After his Air Force tour, Mr. Kiryluk was hired by the Denver Catholic Register as Staff Photographer. He also provided news coverage for NC News service in Washington, DC, the Christian Science Monitor and worked with the Denver Center for the Performing Arts as an event photographer. He received two Colorado Press Association Awards and one from the International Photographic Society in Washington, DC.

Mark began his own freelance business in 1980. Though semi-retired he continues to provide photography services for both editorial and commercial clients including Wells Fargo Banking, Kaiser Permanente, and Central City Opera where he is in his 28th season. Capturing people and usual places has always captivated Mark, whether it be celebrities, the homeless, or on the streets of Denver.

Mr. Kiryluk is represented by Courtyard Fine Art in Traverse City, Michigan where his paintings and some photos are on exhibit.