Wilda Gerideau-Squires facts for kids

Wilda Gerideau-Squires, born on June 21, 1946, is an amazing African-American photographer. She is known for her unique style of art photography. She creates cool abstract pictures using fabric and light. She also takes powerful photos of women. In 2008, a group called Women In Photography International said she was one of the world's most important women photographers. Her photos are kept in special collections, like at Yale University's Beinecke Library and in the State House in Boston.

Life and Photography Journey

Early Life and Career

Wilda Gerideau-Squires grew up in upstate New York. When she was 19, she moved to Boston. She studied Business Administration at the College of DuPage and graduated in 1974. Before becoming a photographer, she worked for 30 years in the travel industry. She was a mid-level executive, which means she held an important management job.

Becoming a Photographer

Since 1992, Wilda has lived in Andover, Massachusetts, with her husband, Walter Squires. She became a professional photographer in 2000. Before that, she took art classes at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston from 1996 to 1998.

Her Unique Photography Style

Wilda uses both film and digital cameras for her photos. She likes to capture pictures of people and landscapes. By 2007, she started focusing more on abstract art. Abstract art uses shapes, colors, and forms that don't look like real objects.

Wilda explains that her abstract photos are made from everyday things. She uses items like fabric and glass. She feels these simple things can become beautiful and meaningful images. She believes that if we take time to look closely, we can find something special in everything. She also loves that her abstract work lets viewers see their own stories in her pictures. This helps them feel a personal connection to her art.

Where Her Art Has Been Shown

Wilda Gerideau-Squires's work has been shown in many important places. These include the Danforth Art Museum and the Griffin Museum of Photography. Her art has also been displayed at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. Her photos have been featured in magazines like Merrimack Valley Magazine and ARTisSpectrum Magazine.

Professional Groups and Roles

Wilda is part of many professional art groups. These include the National Association of Women Artists and the Royal Photographic Society. She is also a resident artist at Western Avenue Studios in Lowell, MA. She helps guide the Brush Art Gallery and Studios as a board advisor.

Awards and Recognition

Honors for Her Photography

In 2008, Women In Photography International honored Wilda Gerideau-Squires. They added her to their special List of Distinguished Women Photographers. This list celebrates the achievements of talented women photographers around the world.

Wilda has also won many other awards. These awards come from both national and international competitions. In 2007, her work was recognized in the Prix de la Photographie Paris. She also received an award from the Photography Masters Cup.