The Artists
Current Artists on Display
Roben Bellomo, Master Photographer, Owner, Resident Artist
The primary operator of BEHN Gallery is Roben Bellomo. Roben has been passionate about photography from a young age, fascinated by the marriage between creativity and technicality. What started as a passion eventually became a career, when he opened BELLOMO STUDIOS in 2013, which focused on custom portraiture and commissioned artwork. He became known for his focus on creating meaningful, memorable, and masterful pieces for his clients.
Very quickly, Roben was singled out for his talent and became a leader in the field. He has been a Top 10 Photographer in the State of Indiana for 9 consecutive years and was Indiana Photographer of the Year in 2016 and 2021. Nationally, he has been recognized as a Master of Photography by the Professional Photographers of America. Roben has earned both Silver and Gold medals in PPA’s International Photographic Competition, and in 2019 took home a 1st Place Grand Imaging award at PPA’s national event in Atlanta.
In 2018, Roben was selected as one of only 10 photographers in the country to represent Team USA in the World Photographic Cup. Cementing his place as one of the top photographers in the country, Roben was selected for this honor again in 2019 and 2022.
Jim Hamel, Master Photographer
For Jim, photography started as a means of documenting his travels. A lawyer by trade, he was slow to embrace photography as an occupation. By 2010, the call became too strong and he began pursuing photography as more than a passion.
The results have exceeded all expectations. Jim was quickly established as an authority in the field, and has taught photography throughout the country to amateurs and professionals alike both in person and through digital classrooms, such as Digital Photography School. (In fact, it was at a trip to Indiana to present to a distinguished group of photographers where he met Roben). His first three years in PPA have yielded a Silver Award, a Gold Award, and another Gold Award in the annual International Photography Competition, as well as being recognized as a Master of Photography by the PPA.
Sarah Oancea, Emerging Artist and 2025 Summer Intern (Purdue University)
Sarah is a multidisciplinary artist currently pursuing a degree in Art History and Studio Arts & Technology at Purdue University. Drawing inspiration from modern design principles and historical works, she creates compositions that blend tradition with identity. With aspirations in museum curation and dealing, Sarah is passionate about both creating and contextualizing art.
This summer, Sarah is interning at the gallery while also displaying select pieces of her recent work. Her artistic practice is grounded in curiosity and experimentation, using form to explore how medium, structure, and movement can shape perception. She is driven by a desire to push boundaries and reimagine the ways art can evoke emotion, spark conversation, and create connection. Through hands-on experience in the gallery and continued academic study, she aims to build a career that bridges creative practice and curatorial insight.