TheColu.mn’s Spotlight on the Arts features artists and organizations that have had an impact on the arts in Minnesota. If you are an artist or arts organization and would like to be profiled in our Spotlight, simply fill out our introductory form.

This week we talked with Ryan Coit, a photographer whose work has been featured as part of the popular installation Masks 2 recently displayed at the Saloon.

Tell us about your form of art, performance or work.
I mostly do black and white portrait photography

Where and how can the general public view, participate in, or purchase your work?
Rayncoit.sites.livebooks.com. In the near future I will have a blog at coitphotography.wordpress.com

Tell us a little about your inspiration. What inspires you?
Being able to capture people’s emotions and creating a story through an image. My goal is to use light in creating dynamic and intriguing images.

Tell us about one piece, work, or performance about which you are particularly proud?
The Mask events are fun because we are able to transform space that normally would not hold artistic images into a completely different venue. Recently, Masks 2 was held for one night only at The Saloon on the dance floor. This allows artist and patron to be interactive in an environment that is more familiar and less imposing than a traditional gallery.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am 29 and live in Minneapolis. I travel as much as I can and love taking photos of my journeys.