PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL, April 21, 2008 - "It was one of the most successful openings we ever had," said Amy Stepper, Recreation Supervisor for the City of Palm Beach Gardens and their Gardens Art program. Nationally recognized, still-life photographer, Barry Seidman opened Bloomers, a series of 23, monumental, giclees on canvas of surrealistic flowers at Palm Beach Gardens City Hall to a large crowd that wanted to be the first to see the new series.

Three, large-scale giclees on canvas were sold opening night, along with eight smaller prints on archival paper. "It was like Wal-Mart; people were walking out with one under each arm!" remarked the delighted Seidman, referring to the success of the evening.

The images take a microscopic look at flowers in extraordinary detail. The images are extremely large, due to Seidman's desire to have others see them as he saw them in the camera. "Printed on canvas they are like huge paintings, almost surrealistic in feeling," he added.

Seidman bought the flowers used for his photography at the Palm Beach Gardens Whole Foods near his and wife Mary Ann's residence. When Whole Foods, heard about Seidman's work and saw the images, they agreed to host the opening night event at City Hall, complete with beautiful, live flowers. As a finishing touch to the evening, flower girl, Sarah Rose Shapiro, gave each guest a long-stem organic rose as they departed.

"A star is born," exclaimed legendary, New York gallery owner Marge Neikrug, after viewing the series on opening night. "The work is beautiful." Barry Seidman's exhibition Bagged, recently exhibited at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre in Delray Beach was first shown in at Neikrug's Photographica Gallery in New York.

Barry Seidman is considered, by some, to be one of the top advertising print media photographers in the country. He has worked for top major brands in the world, and includes celebrity photography and television commercials in his portfolio of work.

He now devotes a considerable amount of his time to fine art photography, using his vast techniques and knowledge of lighting as a foundation. Seidman maintains a studio presence in New York where he continues to shoot for advertising clients.

The Bloomers exhibition at Palm Beach Gardens City Hall is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through May 28, 2008. For more information call (561) 630-5745 or visit www.barryseidman.com.

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