*Stigma: the truth and face of mental illness* *Opening Reception Sunday August 28th from 2 to 4 pm.* *Chagrin Arts* *88 N. Main Street* *Chagrin Falls* *On display through September 30th* Rocky Encalada is a photographer, actor, and director, originally from Miami, FL. As someone who spent years in front of the cameras, it was not surprising that she would eventually find her way behind it. Her first passion as a child was black and white movies that she enjoyed with her father. This led to a love of acting and film. Eventually a simple point and shoot camera would be gifted to her, but it was that magic made by the actors that would captivate her for decades to come. She worked in film, commercials, modeling, and many other realms that put her in front of the camera. At the age of 30, she began to pursue her higher education in all things theatre. After graduating with her MFA from Kent State University, she became frustrated with the quality of the headshots her private acting students were getting and decided to pick up a camera and help them get a better product to put in front of directors like herself. During this time, she also served 7 years as the Exhibits Chair for the Cleveland Photographic Society, one of the oldest and largest photography clubs in the United States, bringing the world of photography to public spaces for all audiences to enjoy. As a portrait photographer she tries to find the essence of every individual she photographs. Her various degrees in theatre (she has 4) allows her to see the picture from every angle before making the image. She uses her knowledge of human nature from decades as an actor to not only capture the individual in her frame, but to allow the audience a glimpse into who they are and sometimes, even who they did not realize they could be. She now lives in Lakewood with her husband, Eric, and their four cats, whose names all end in the ‘ee’ sound. She can be contacted for portraiture work at rocky@lilpenguinphotography.com <http://mailto:rocky@lilpenguinphotography.com/> Margaret Reardon Community Engagement Coordinator Chagrin Arts 88 North Main Street <https://maps.google.com/?q=88+North+Main+Street> Chagrin Falls OH 44022 <https://maps.google.com/?q=Chagrin+Falls+OH+44022> 440-247-9700 216-272-4277