The view through the lens in Monmouth Exhibit showcases photos by Monmouth Museum member groups "Mallorca Arches" by Warner White, Guild of Creative Art Fine art photography, like other visual art forms, is thriving in Monmouth County. So much so, that the Monmouth Museum and Cultural Center has devoted an exhibit to photographs from member arts organizations. "Monmouth County Photography" will run through May 13 in the Lincroft museum's Nilson Gallery. The exhibit features work by artists from throughout the county representing The Guild of Creative Art, The Freehold Art Society and Through the Lens. According to museum director Avis Anderson, the photography exhibit evolved from previous exhibits representing work by Monmouth County member arts organizations. "It's the last of those member group presentations, and those artists deserve the recognition," she explained. "My goal for the Nilson Gallery is to exhibit emerging and new artists. We have a series that's going to start in the summer and run into '08 for that purpose. "Snowflakes" by Candy Sattenspiel, Through the Lens "In order to facilitate that, I went to the member organizations that already exist, and when the artists submitted work, there was so much of different media, I decided we would pull out the photography for its own exhibit," Anderson said. "There were too many good photos, and so we decided to have this exhibit. Photography is becoming so much more popular and collectible." Beginning this summer, Anderson said the museum will mark another first - solo exhibits. "We've never had a one-person exhibit," she said. "From now on we will be using the space for six, one-person exhibits by emerging artists. They will kick off in July," she explained, adding that the exhibits will drawn from a statewide competition and will represent a range of styles and media. According to its Web site, the Guild of Creative Art in Shrewsbury is the oldest and largest art community of its kind in the state of New Jersey. The guild presents monthly exhibits, a broad series of fine arts courses and provides a forum for fine artwork in various disciplines from local and regional artists. More information is available on the Web site: guildofcreativeart@verizon.net. "Waltzing Matildas Verse Two" by Dana Cohoon, Freehold Art Society The mission of the Freehold Art Society is to further appreciation of the visual arts in western Monmouth County. Founded in 1960, the society hosts exhibits, workshops, demonstrations, presentations on art-related subjects and arranges exhibits at venues throughout western Monmouth. More information is available at www.freeholdartsociety. homestead.com. Through the Lens, based in the Marlboro/Manalapan area, was founded by Candy Langan Sattenspiel and, according to its founder, represents a small, diverse group of Monmouth and Ocean County photographers who share a common interest in exploring photography. The Monmouth Museum and Cultural Center is located on the Brookdale Community College campus, Newman Springs Road, in Lincroft. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is $6, free for members; children under two and Brookdale students and staff with a valid I.D. For more information, call the museum at (732) 747-2266 or visit www.monmouthmuseum.org. "I Think, Virgo I Am" by Vicky Culver, Guild of Creative Art - Gloria Stravelli "Forsythia & Handrail" by Joyce Chadwick, Guild of Creative Art