Photographer Gary Levy at O.C. Arts Center

Atlantic County resident Gary Levy, the Best of Show winner for his photo “Marker Magic” in the Ocean City Arts Center’s 2019 Juried Photography Show, brings his work to the Arts Center Feb. 1 through Feb. 29. A “Meet the Artist” reception, free and open to the public, will be held Friday, Feb. 7, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Levy is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts) and holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in Art Teacher Education. Following college, Levy was drafted into the Army and spent two years on active duty, where he served as a soldier-instructor in the Army’s Special Services Arts & Crafts Program, a distinct segment of leisure-time activities available for soldiers and their families. Gary Levy's award-winning “The Eyes Have It” photo. (Photo courtesy Ocean City Arts Center) After separation from active duty, he signed on to be a civilian Arts & Crafts Director with the Army Special Services Program in Europe, where he supervised multiple Arts & Crafts Center operations throughout Germany. He remained in Europe for eight years, then transferred to the Panama Canal Zone for two years, and finally to Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he became chief of the Installation’s Morale, Welfare & Recreation Program and stayed for 18 years until his Civil Service retirement. Throughout his years overseas and stateside, Levy pursued 35mm photography, including attending intermediate, advanced, masters and salon photography classes at Old School Square in Delray Beach (now the School of Creative Arts). In addition, he is an active member and treasurer of the Stay Focused Photo Club, which meets at Stockton University. He believes that photography is “The Art of Seeing” and his work reflects that belief. The Ocean City Arts Center is located at 1735 Simpson Ave., on the second floor of the Community Center. Call (609) 399-7628. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For further information go to www.oceancityartscenter.org.