Photographer Jennifer Drucker has had her work exhibited in Illinois, Massachusetts and Kentucky and as far as Russia. She hasn't yet been to Russia, but last month Drucker was in Este, Italy to participate in the art exhibit Natura Ad Arte (Nature as Art).

"Italy was wonderful," said the Saint James resident, who prefers film over digital for artistic projects. "The opening of the show was a great opportunity to meet artists working in different mediums from all over the world."

At the show, she displayed some color work, departing from her usual black and white photos. She also included her latest projects, which apply encaustic paint to black and white photographs. "I use wax-based pigments to paint on the photograph," Drucker said, a creative designer at Nassau Community College. "With my new work, much of the atmosphere of the image is created after the initial click of the shutter. Working with heated wax, I am able to cloak the subject deep within itself adding additional depth and mood."

The gig in Russia came to fruition when artist and C.W. Post professor Frank Dituri introduced her to Andrey Martynov, a well-known Russian curator. He liked what he saw and asked her to be part of a show. Since then, she and Martynov have collaborated on a project called NYC International Perspectives, for which Drucker became a curator herself.

While she lives in Smithtown, her art is mostly displayed and sold elsewhere. Her  works are sold through the Iris Gallery in Massachusetts and Drucker, who has an MFA from Long Island University, travels to many shows off of Long Island.

"The art activity in Smithtown is moving in the right direction," she said referring to such places as the Mills Pond House and the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts. "However, it has a long way to go. I think we need to think a bit more globally and nurture international art partnerships that encourage our local artists to develop and maintain friendships and connections with artists around the world."