Wayne Mazorow (b.1956)
Red Bud Bedford
Materials: Digital C-print, scanned 4x5 film, printed on Willow Glass.
Location at Summa Health: Dr. Gary B. and Pamela S. Williams Tower on the Akron Campus (141 N. Forge St.), blue neighborhood; 12 patient rooms on the 2nd floor, 12 patient rooms on the 4th floor and 12 patient rooms on the 6th floor.
About the Art
Each spring, the redbud tree awakens the landscape with its striking purple-pink blossoms, one of the season’s earliest and most vibrant signs of renewal. In this artwork, the artist captures not only the brilliance of its color but also the way redbuds illuminate woodlands, gardens, and neighborhoods across Northeast Ohio in late March and early April. Even the bark of the redbuds and surrounding trees takes on a soft reflection of this vivid hue, amplifying the sense of warmth and vitality.
A gentle infusion of sunlight filters through the treetops, enhancing the scene’s depth and creating a serene, uplifting atmosphere. This moment in nature, so full of life and promise, reflects the spirit of renewal and healing that defines the Summa Health environment.
Ledges, Spring Foliage
Like Red Bud Bedford, this photograph captures the essence of spring’s renewal, but here the focus is on the fresh, joyful greens that emerge in March, April, and May. Every surface, including trees, ferns, moss, lichens, and shrubs, is alive with the season’s energy, forming a tapestry of delicate color variations.
A striking element in the composition is the slender maple tree on the left, which curls from the rock face before straightening and reaching skyward. Its vibrant green leaves stand in contrast to the cool blue-grays of the weathered stone behind it, a reminder of nature’s resilience and strength.
Mazorow’s meticulous attention to detail encourages the eye to continuously explore the image, discovering new textures and layers within the scene. Yet despite this abundance, the overall effect remains soothing, offering a tranquil pause in nature that invites reflection and calm.
Yellow Flag Iris, CVNP
The mid-spring bloom of yellow flag irises is vividly captured here in the wetlands of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio’s only national park. Though visually striking, the yellow flag is an invasive species, closely related to the domesticated iris, and it thrives in low-lying areas and wetlands, forming dense clusters as seen in this image.
Wayne Mazorow’s work often highlights the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems, and in this photograph, he subtly underscores the significance of wetland preservation. His careful timing enhances the impact of the scene, capturing just the right moment when wisps of cirrus clouds stretch across the sky, as if nature itself is marking this fleeting seasonal display. The interplay of radiant yellows, lush greens, and the vast, open sky transforms this image into more than a documentation of spring; it becomes a quiet celebration of nature’s cycles and the fragile beauty of Ohio’s landscapes.
Cuyahoga River, Autumn Sunrise, No. 3/25, (2009 and 2021)
Materials: Digital print on acrylic, 40" x 50"
Location at Summa: Juve Family Behavioral Health Pavilion
About the Art
In this serene image, morning’s first light filters through mist rising from the Cuyahoga River, illuminating the trunks, branches, and autumn foliage with a golden glow. The crisp details of the landscape are mirrored in the still water below, softened and slightly blurred, evoking a sense of quiet reflection and balance.
Wayne Mazorow traces his inspiration for this photograph back nearly 30 years, when he was moved by the work of western photographer Robert Glenn Ketchum to seek out backlit autumn foliage along a river or creek. The result, captured in 2009 with a large format 4x5 film camera, reveals the extraordinary patience and precision required to create such a timeless image. Mazorow continues to use this traditional camera alongside modern digital tools, blending old and new technologies to achieve remarkable depth and detail.
Here, every element such as the luminous mist, the rich hues of fall, and the river-smoothed stones encourages the viewer to pause, look more closely, and experience the landscape with heightened awareness.
In today’s digital age, where nearly everyone has access to a camera, it can be easy to overlook the artistry behind a truly exceptional photograph. Mazorow’s work reminds us that photography is not just about capturing a moment, but about seeing, waiting for the right light, recognizing the right composition, and bringing it to life in a way that stirs emotion. His images transport us beyond documentation, into the realm of deep observation and appreciation for nature’s quiet brilliance.
About the Artist
Wayne Mazorow’s photography reflects a deep reverence for the natural world, capturing the unspoiled beauty of Northeast Ohio’s landscapes. Working with a large format 4x5 view film camera, he creates images that echo the grandeur of traditional landscape paintings, offering a contemporary interpretation of this timeless genre. His meticulous approach emphasizes authenticity and limits post-processing, allowing the natural light and atmospheric conditions to shape the final image.
Each of Mazorow’s photographs begins on film (the first date listed) before being digitized. During this process, he subtly refines tonal balance, making delicate shifts along the RGB spectrum to enhance mood without compromising the integrity of the original scene. His expertise ensures that these adjustments remain understated, preserving the quiet majesty of the landscape.
Mazorow’s three digitized photographs were carefully selected for patient rooms in Summa Health’s new patient tower. Beyond their meditative and calming qualities, these works were selected with patient care in mind. Hygiene is paramount in a healthcare setting, and these images are printed on Willow Glass, a highly durable and ultra-thin material that allows for thorough cleaning without compromising the artwork’s vibrancy. The digital files were adapted by an artist to fit the scale and proportional needs of the patient rooms, with final printing handled by a specialized commercial printer.
Mazorow, a Lorain native, has spent much of his life in the eastern Cleveland suburbs. A graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, he is a self-taught photographer who has worked extensively in both 35mm and large-format photography since 1998. His career has bridged the transition from traditional film to digital photography, yet his process remains deeply rooted in classic photographic principles.
Where You Can See More of This Artist’s Work
Wayne Mazorow’s photography has been widely exhibited across Ohio in both solo and group exhibitions, earning numerous awards. His work has appeared in books, articles, and magazines, as well as in widely recognized publications such as Audubon Society calendars. His photographs are held in the collections of University Hospitals, the Cleveland Clinic, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. To explore a broader selection of his work, visit his website, where he continues to document the region’s natural splendor with the same dedication to authenticity and craftsmanship.