All are invited to the opening reception for the new Upper Gallery exhibition, “Cavemen Built My Skateboard,” Sunday, Sept. 19, from 2 – 5 pm.

Michel is an award-winning professional photographer-filmmaker with an impressive list of clients in the fashion world and other businesses. After starting her photography studies at School of Visual Arts in New York nearly a decade ago, she recently completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at New Jersey City University, majoring in Media Arts with a concentration in film making.

Jersey City born and raised, Michel began to fulfill her passion to interpret the world through a lens in high school, when she bought her first digital SLR camera. While at SVA, she learned to appreciate the unique qualities of working with analog film, which informs the way she shoots even when using digital equipment. 

Her final thesis project, completed earlier this year, was inspired by her interest in skateboarders. She produced a fascinating film, “Cavemen Built My Skateboard,” about a young skateboarder, Iggy Manzanero, whom she met in Jersey City. Impressed as much by his warmth and openness as by his dedication to perfecting his skills, Michel captures this special young man’s character in a short film that showcases her skills with a variety of shooting styles and techniques. 

The show in the Museum’s Upper Gallery is based on stills from the film, which can also be viewed on YouTube. Learn more about Michel’s upcoming exhibit by clicking here. Or visit her website at www.joan-michel.com.