Michael Elenko
Vashon Island, WA 98070
206.226.3315
michael.elenko@comcast.net
www.digitaltogo.net
Representation:
Fine art, Swiftwater Gallery, Vashon, WA 2023-present
Online, Handmade On Vashon, 2021-present
Publications:
Vashon Island Light, Self-published, hand-crafted 30-page artist book, 2026 (sold at auction)
Solo Photographic Exhibitions:
“Evans Canyon Fire”, 2021 Portfolio Platform, Midwest Center for Photography
“Peace by Piece”, 2020 NW Sinfonietta, nine background theatrical stage
images for recorded chamber concert
“Reviewing The Instant”, 2020 Vashon Center for the Arts
“Standing Meditation”, 2017 Spoke Gallery, Vashon, WA Nov-Dec 2017
[Self-titled], 2009 Bob’s Bakery, Vashon, WA
“Awesome”, 2008 Washington Mutual, Vashon, WA
“Secondary Modern”, 1987 Pacific Sojourn, Kingston, WA
"Neophilia", 1985 Handforth Gallery, Tacoma, WA
[Self-titled], 1984 Tacoma Actors Guild Theatre, Tacoma, WA
"Natural Phenomena", 1983 Tenzlar Gallery, Lakewood, WA
Group Photographic Exhibitions:
International juried, “Future Days”, Glasgow Gallery of Photography, July, 2026
International juried, “Geometric Abstraction”, Midwest Center For Photography , Wichita, KS
International juried, 2026 Annual Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
International juried, 2025 Annual Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
International juried, “Color”, 2026 Dusk Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
International juried, “Color Burst”, 2025, Black Box, Portland, OR
International juried, “The Architectural Image, 2025, SE Center for Photography, Greenville, SC
Juried, 2025, Birds Take Flight, Vashon Center For The Arts, Vashon, WA
Juried, 2024 10x10, Jackson Junge Gallery, Chicago
International juried, 2024 Annual Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
Juried, 2024, Homage To John Anderson, Vashon Center For The Arts, Vashon, WA
International juried, 2023 Annual Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
International juried, 2022 The Everyday Landscape: Contemporary Topographics, Lisa Hostetler, Juror, Photo South Carolina
Juried, 2022 10x10, Jackson Junge Gallery, Chicago
International juried, 2022 Annual Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
National juried, 2021 "Farms Across America", Alex Ferrone Gallery, Long Island, NY
International juried, 2021 "Abstracts", Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
International juried, 2021 Annual Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
National juried, 2020 ”Let the Sun Shine In”, Lightbox Gallery, Oregon
National juried, 2020 Allegany National Exhibition, Cumberland, MD
International juried, 2020 “Structure”, A. Smith Gallery, Johnson City, TX
International juried, 2020 Annual Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
International juried, 2020 “Keeping the Faith: An Artistic Celebration of Judaism”, Studios on the Park, Paso Robles, CA
International juried, 2019 Annual, Rhode Island Center for Photographic Art
National juried, 2019 “Once Upon A Time”, Vancouver Art Space, Vancouver, WA
National juried, 2019 “Anything Goes”, Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, WA
Invitational, 2019 “Welcome to the Working Week” & “Trail of Broken Hearts”,
Visual Music, Vashon Center for the Arts
Juried, 2019, “Last”, The Lexicon of Light, Vashon Center for the Arts
International juried, 2019 Annual Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
International juried, 2018 “X for Ten”, Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
Invitational, 2018 “Meadowlake”, Catch Us While You Can, Open Space, Vashon, WA
International juried, 2018 “The Sacred”, Robert Adams, Juror, Lightbox Gallery, Oregon
International juried, 2018 “Metamorphosis”, Dark Room Gallery, Essex Jct., VT
International juried, 2018 “The Golden Hours”, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, MA
International juried, 2018 Annual Midwest Center For Photography, Wichita, KS
International juried, 2018 “The Shadow Aspect”, Praxis Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
International juried, 2018 R.G. Endres Gallery, Prairie Village Arts Council, KS
International juried, 2017 “4th Annual iPhonography”, Plymouth Center for the Arts, MA
International juried, 2017 “Nature’s Way”, Lightbox Gallery, Oregon
National juried, 2012 “Biodiversity”, Center for Urban Horticulture, University of Washington
Invitational, 2011 The Vashon Island Artist Show, Pioneer Square, Seattle, WA
Invitational, 2010-2022, Vashon Center for the Arts, Art Auction
Juried, 2009 Inner Vashon, An Outer View, Blue Heron Art Gallery, Vashon, WA
Invitational, 2007 Bergamot Home, Vashon, WA
POV, 2007 Heritage Museum, Vashon, WA
POV, 2006 Heritage Museum, Vashon, WA
National juried, 1986 Photographic Center Northwest, Seattle, WA
National juried, 1986 Bargreen Memorial, Everett, WA
Juried, 1983 Tacoma Arts Commission Downtown Gallery, Tacoma, WA
Honors:
Street Photograph of the Year, 2026, Outside Looking In, Midwest Center
For Photography Annual Juried Exhibition, Wichita, KS
Exhibition Poster Image, 2025, A Gaggle of Snow Geese, Skagit Valley,
Birds Take Flight, Vashon Center For The Arts
Street Photograph of the Year, 2023, In The Chicago Loop, Midwest Center
For Photography Annual Juried Exhibition, Wichita, KS
"Our Town: Islander's photographs capture form and emotion", Vashon
Beachcomber newspaper, Jan 20, 2022
"National Competition Doubles Down on Vashon Artists", Vashon Beachcomber
newspaper, Feb 18, 2021
Third Place, And There Was That One Red Truck, “Once Upon A Time”,
Vancouver Art Space, Vancouver, WA Oct 2019
Curator, The Lexicon of Light (poetry+photography), Vashon Center for the Arts, April, 2019
Conceptual Artwork of the Year, 2018, And There Was That One Red Truck,
2018 Midwest Center For Photography Annual Juried Exhibition, Wichita, KS
Cover Image (curated), Seattle Tacoma Airport, Modern Landscape Photography, 2017
Cover Image (curated), KVI Beach, Modern Landscape Photography, 2016
Visiting Artist, U.S. Forest Service, Crystal Mountain, WA, 2012
Oscillation, permanent collection, Pentax International Photo Gallery, May 2009
Tahoma Moon, permanent collection, Pentax International Photo Gallery, February 2008
Second-Prize Winner, Commutation No. 8, Inner Vashon, An Outer View, Blue
Heron Art Gallery, July 2009
Second-Prize Winner, Metropolitan Park District Annual Photo Contest, Tacoma, WA., 1983.
Photographic Publications:
Ongoing news and sports photographs, Vashon Island Beachcomber, 1989-Present
Various corporate (Starbucks) photographs, 2006-2011.
Contributor (7 photographs), The Birds of Vashon Island, Ed Swann (author), 2005
“The Pharmacy of the Future?” (Bastyr College Clinic), photograph,
Delicious! magazine, July/August 1988.
Various news and feature photographs, The Tacoma•Pierce County Review, 1985.
"Project Merit" (Tacoma Community House), photograph, M.J. Murdock
Charitable Trust Annual Report, 1982.
"Second Glance" Pacific Magazine, Sunday Seattle Times, March 29, 1981.
Photography Workshops Developed & Taught
Digital Literacy, 2024, Swiftwater Gallery
How to Organize Your Digital Photos, 2023, Swiftwater Gallery
How to Enter Fine Art Competitions, 2020, VIVA (Vashon Island Visual Artists)
Digital Resolution: PPI, DPI, & Aspect Ratio, 2018, (Planned), VIVA (Vashon Island Visual Artists)
How to Photograph Birds, Vashon-Maury Audubon, 2017
Color Management for Photographers, 2010, Photographers of Vashon
Lightroom Basics, 2010, Photographers of Vashon
Professional Experience
Artist/Consultant, Digital To Go, 2012-Present
Leader & Educator, POV, 2008-Present
Photography Art Critic, ShutterMonks magazine, 2012-2013
Requirements Manager, GLG interactive ad agency, 2012
Corporate Photographer, Starbucks Coffee Company, 2006-2011
Photography Requirements Manager, Allsport Photography (Getty Images), 2000
Editor, commercial art group, Boeing, 1989-1999
Professional Writer, Downtown Seattle, 1987-1989
Film Critic, Olympia News, 1979-1980
Education
Graduate studies in management, Antioch University, 1996
Bachelor of Arts, Communications, The Evergreen State College, 1979
Consultant Certification, P+ Consulting Methods, DMR (Fuji), 1987
Affiliations
Board member, VIVA (Vashon Island Visual Artists) 2018-2020
Leader, POV (Photographers of Vashon), 2010-present
Member, NPPA (National Press Photographers Association), 2011-present
Security
CJIS Law Enforcement Officer-Level, National Security Clearance 2019-2024
