(HUDSON, N.Y.) – “No Parking: The Alleys and Garages of Hudson,” featuring works by three local photographers who find unconventional beauty beyond Hudson’s more well-trafficked main streets, will go on view at the Hudson Opera House on Saturday, January 14, with an artist’s reception from 5 to 7pm. Exploring the parallel realities that exist in the city, “No Parking” features photographs dating back nearly two decades from local artists Lisa Durfee (exhibition organize), William Hellermann, and Peter Spear. The exhibition will remain on view through February 19.

While major roads such as Warren Street offer a panoply of architectural spectacle to enjoy, “No Parking” tells the story of those small streets that run parallel to the larger thoroughfares, and the hidden barns, garages, storehouses, and studios nestled among them.

“I happened to notice in the summer of 1998 that gentrification had unmistakably taken off in Hudson,” William Hellermann recounted to fellow photographer Valerie Shaff. “However, by contrast, I found that the garages were often more visually interesting than the buildings on the main thoroughfares. They have an accidental beauty.”

Lisa Durfee graduated from Bard College in 1983 with a degree in Fine Art. Primarily a collage artist, she has been a resident of Hudson for seventeen years, and has owned and operated the vintage clothing store Five and Diamond since 2002.

William Hellermann is a composer, photographer, and mixed-media artist, born in 1939 in Milwaukee, Wisc. His compositions been staged by international performing arts organizations, including the World Music Institute, The Group for Contemporary Music, Aspen Music Festival, Tanglewood, Utrecht Symphony Orchestra (Holland), and RAI Symphony Orchestra (Rome).

In addition to his work as a composer, Hellermann is active as a classical guitarist, specializing in the performance of New Music. He has premiered numerous works for the guitar, many employing new instrumental techniques which he has developed. His solo recital appearances have taken place principally in Europe in Paris, Rome, Berlin, Baden-Baden, Stockholm, Bern and Munich.

Hellermann is also well known for his work in music sculpture and has exhibited frequently in New York City. He served for six years (1966-72) on the music faculty of Columbia University and was a part time instructorship at Farleigh Dickinson University, Western Connecticut State University, NYU Graduate School. Hellermann holds a B.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin and the MA and DMA degrees from Columbia University.

Peter Spear was born in the suburbs outside of Rochester, N.Y. He lives in Hudson and shoots mostly with film, using either his lovely Mamiya 7ii or his Rollei. He enjoys exploring his adopted hometown, looking for images to capture.

“No Parking” offers viewers the rare opportunity to travel back to a time in Hudson’s not-so-distant past with works from three of the most talented photographers living in the city today.