Columbia student Alycia Johnson-Dardiz ’18 recently had four photographs accepted to a local art exhibit at the Photography Center of the Capital District. They are on display at the gallery in downtown Troy through March 26.

Even more special was the fact that the Photography Center purchased all four of the photographs for their permanent collection.

The photographs are self-portraits that are reminiscent of the work of photographer Cindy Sherman.

“My favorite photo has to be the one where I’m outside,” Ms. Johnson-Dardiz said. “Sometimes it’s hard to capture that spacy look while taking photos of yourself. But in it I look relaxed or at least at peace.”

Ms. Johnson-Dardiz enjoys other artistic applications, such as drawing. She hopes to study story boarding or animation in college and eventually work for Disney or Pixar.

“Alycia is passionate about the arts,” said her art teacher Andrea Neiman. “She works hard in her classes and is an active member of Art Club. She is an inquisitive and thoughtful student and we are so proud of her for taking the initiative to participate in the Photography Center of the Capital District’s 2017 Student Show.”