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Excerpts from a terrific article by scribe and friend of the museum, Dave Zuchowski

Photo Exhibit Shares Limelight with Works by Frank L. Melega at Brownsville Museum

July 11, 2021

Housed in the historic and architecturally significant Flatiron Building in Brownsville, the Frank L. Melega Art Museum had been inactive for more than a year due to the corona virus epidemic. Recently, the stylish art museum opened its doors again with an exhibit of twelve photos by Grindstone resident, Jeffrey W. Hughes.

The exhibit titled “Our Region Through My Lens” includes images of popular Brownsville landmarks such as Nemacolin Castle, St. Peter’s Church, the Flatiron Building and Christ Anglican Church. All of the photos were shot in the raw, meaning the photographs are unedited.

Hughes, a former law enforcement officer for the federal government, has been a professional photographer for the past three years. His work includes weddings, anniversaries, graduations and other events but his main focus is on landscapes and architectural photographs.

A graduate of the New York Institute of Photography in New York City with a license to pilot Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or drones) from the Pilot Institute of Prescott, Arizona, Hughes has shot drone aerial videos for clients like Route 21 Stone, a landscaping company, and the Apostolic Church in West Brownsville. He also offers drone services to local real estate agents.

“Jeffrey [Hughes] is a creative individual, and I think he did a great job creating photos of local landmarks and our area,” said Patrick Daugherty, museum director. ”He was recommended to me by former Brownsville mayor Norma Ryan.    

“Due to the inexpensive cost of many of the pieces by both artists, a visitor can purchase two works, one for each artist, for under $50, “ Daugherty said. “These would be great pieces for what I like to call an art collector’s starter.”

At the moment, Hughes is finishing work on a 2022 calendar that will showcase twelve churches in Brownsville. The cover piece will be a collage of the 12 churches, and Hughes said he will begin taking order for the calendar in June on his Facebook page Jeffrey W Hughes Photography or website www.JWHPhotography.org.

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