April 9, 2008 > Photographs and Digital Works Photographs and Digital Works By Mona Shah Artists weave a story through their creations that transport viewers to a world filled with wonder and joy. Artworks provide a brief escape from the everyday hustle and bustle. Laurel Jones and Jacline Deridder, are two such artists exploring analog and digital photography who are currently displaying their work at Mission Coffee in Fremont. The highlight of their work is an expression of strong creativity, and composition. Jones has always been interested in the arts. She began painting from photographs and was inspired to learn photography through the Linda McCartney photography books. Life has not been easy for Jones due to severe learning disabilities. Dyslexia, aphasia and faulty short-term memory made traditional school instruction difficult. She was enrolled in special education classes during her school years and frustrated by her learning progress. Despite learning disabilities, Jones applied to the Ohlone College Disability Center to take photography classes. Unfortunately she was told that the center was dedicated to those with less severe disabilities. Laurel then applied to Chabot College. After a trial period of three months, she failed the written disability test and was told by the disability counselors that she would have to drop out of the photography program. Her teachers recognized Jones' talent and through their support the finding of the disability center was changed to allow her to continue. Jones is still a student at Chabot College where she studies traditional photography and has been awarded a photographic arts program certificate. Jacline Deridder is from Belgium where she worked with black and white film photography. She and her sister collaborated on photographic adventures and won several awards at competitions in Belgium. Deridder has been working with photography for the last 25 years and though she attended many schools, never took any photography classes. She comes from a creative family of artists and teachers and has experimented with other media as well: acrylics, pastels, murals, clay, etc. Deridder started using digital photography in 2000 and enjoys the expanded possibilities of this medium. She began to display her photographs to the public in 2004 and has won awards in California competitions. Jacline Deridder and Laurel Jones Photographs and Digital Works Through April 30 Show reception: Sunday April 14 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mission Coffee Roasting Company 151 Washington Blvd., Fremont (510) 623-6920