biography
A self-described design devotee, Alison Izard is a photographer with an inherently whimsical view of the world. Her point of view is solidly rooted in pop culture, and the scenes she creates with her pets are an homage to all things design, from typography to decorative arts. Everything in the photographs is real; brought together in her home studio using carefully curated vintage memorabilia, wallpaper, and furnishings.
Her work is also the result of a life-long fascination with the connection that exists between humans and animals. She collaborates with her pets to create photographs that test and expand how others see the emotional intelligence of animals. Humor is frequently used to illustrate similarities; the subtle eye movements, a sly grin or a furrowed brow. Also essential to her work is a respect and appreciation for animals. Her photographs are the result of a relationship built on trust, patience, affection and positive reinforcement.
Alison has a BA in American History from the University of Maryland. She studied photography and design at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design in Lancaster, PA. A native Marylander, Alison currently resides in Gettysburg, PA with her four dogs and two rambunctious cats.
awards
- 3rd Prize, 2018 National Juried Show, Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick, MD - Juror: Laura M. Amussen
- 4th Prize, 15th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Adams County Arts Council, Gettysburg, PA - Juror: Richard Rinehart
- Finalist, 7th Edition Julia Margaret Cameron Awards - Juror: Jill Greenberg
- 4th Prize, 12th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Adams County Arts Council, Gettysburg, PA - Juror: Cristin Cash
- Juror’s Award, A. Smith Gallery, Johnson City, TX November/December 2014 - Juror: Anne Berry
- Awarded Best in Show, 28th Annual Region Juried Exhibition, Frederick Camera Clique, Frederick, MD July 2014 - Jurors: Renée Comet and Joe Edelman
selected exhibitions
2018
- 2018 National Juried Show, Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick, MD - Juror: Laura M. Amussen
- 15th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Adams County Arts Council, Gettysburg, PA - Juror: Richard Rinehart
2017
- National Juried Show 2017, Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick, MD - Juror: Laura Augustin
2016
- Dogs Not Dogs | June 2016 Artist Solo Show, Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick, MD
- 4th Biennial of Fine Art and Documentary Photography, Berlin, Germany October 2016
2015
- Center Forward 2015, Center for Fine Art Photography, Ft. Collins, CO - Juror: Hamidah Glasgow
- Color, Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR - Juror: Christy Karpinski
- PhotoSpiva, George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, Joplin, MO - Juror: Shannon Thomas Perich
- Open: 2015, PhotoPlace Gallery, Middlebury, VT - Juror: Jeff Curto
- 2015 Annual Juried Exhibit, Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, Frederick, MD - Juror: Dorothy Moss
- 12th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Adams County Arts Council, Gettysburg, PA - Juror: Cristin Cash
2014
- Critters, A. Smith Gallery, Johnson City, TX - Juror: Anne Berry
- Nat'l Juried Photography Exhibit, Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, Frederick, MD - Juror: Frank Van Riper
- Student Exhibition, Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD
- 28th Annual Juried Exhibition, Frederick Camera Clique, Frederick, MD - Jurors: Renée Comet and Joe Edelman
- 11th Annual Juried Art Exhibition, Adams County Arts Council, Gettysburg, PA - Juror: Steven Dolbin