Conference ‘09

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Schedule | Sponsors | Keynote | Location | Speakers | Scholarships | Registration
Exhibitions | Honored Educator | Proposals | Portfolio Reviews | Vendors

 

Conference 2009: Portfolio Review Guidelines

WHAT: Sign up for 20 minutes of feedback from reviewers who are curators, artists, gallery directors and grad school directors.

WHY: To receive a range of potential discussions, including critique of artwork, selection of work for exhibition or publication, and information and review for candidates of MFA programs. In the conference catalog, reviewers state their interests and their preference of meeting with student and/or professional (non-student) artists.

HOW: When you check in during registration on Friday, you may select one review session for Saturday morning. On Saturday morning, you can sign up for additional reviews based on availability. Reviews are available on a first come first serve basis, so arriving early during registration is recommended. If you show up more than 5 minutes late, you forfeit your review and anyone on the waiting list may take the slot.

The below guidelines came from the Photo Lucida “How To” manual on their website.

The Quick Cheat Sheet:

  • Your portfolio should be a complete body of work with a solid vision (15–20 prints). Do bring alternate portfolios and examples of other work if you want, but your primary presentation should be a complete body.
  • Package your portfolio such that you can carry it, open it, show it, and put it away with minimum fuss. Simple clamshell portfolio boxes are one perennial festival favorite.
  • Research the reviewers as best you can before you show up at the portfolio reviews, and honestly assess which reviewers are the best fits for your work (the internet can be a valuable tool for this).
  • Always be courteous to the reviewers and your fellow photographers.
  • Respect the 20-minute time slot you have for showing your work and be ready to move on when your time is up. Some overlap is inevitable; however, when the 5 minute warning is called start wrapping it up. If there is more to be said, quickly make an appointment to meet afterwards: if the interest is there an additional meeting will happen.
  • Yes, the reviewers will remember who you are if you follow them into the bathroom to show them your work, and not fondly. Don’t do this. Really, don’t do this.
  • Bring leave-behinds for the reviewers; make sure that it includes all of your contact information. Bring plenty of extras as you will probably want to give some to your fellow photographers as well.
  • Take notes after your reviews and follow up with reviewers when you return home.

Portfolio Reviewer Biographies

Jamie M. Allen, George Eastman House

Jamie Allen is Curatorial Associate in the Department of Photographs at George Eastman House. She holds a MA in Photographic Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University in Toronto, Ontario. Allen is currently working on several in-house and traveling exhibitions.

She also assists with acquisitions, loans and artist submissions. Allen in interested in reviewing a wide range of work (both students and professionals), but has particular interest in alternative processes.

A Master of Arts in Photographic Preservation & Collections Management is offered by George Eastman House (Rochester, New York) and Ryerson University (Toronto, Ontario). The joint graduate program provides an integrated curriculum of academic study and professional education that will equip students to meet current responsibilities and future demands in photographic preservation and in managing photographic collections. Its curriculum is specifically designed to deepen students’ understanding of the history of the photographic medium, particularly its social, cultural, and instrumental uses, and the purposes and functions of photographs and photographic collections.

Andrew Atkinson, Montclair State University Gallery & MFA Program

Andrew Atkinson is a photographer, critic, curator and professor of digital photography at Montclair State University. He holds a phd from the Centre for Fine Print Research at the University of the West of England and is working on a book on the Woodburytype. He has curated exhibitions in the US and Italy and exhibits internationally.

He writes for Afterimage and the Architect’s Newspaper and is a board member of the Society of Photographic Education Mid-Atlantic. He will be reviewing for MSU’s MFA fast growing studio program and for professionals.

Terry Boddie, Oualie Art & Sight Specific Projects

Terry Boddie’s work as a photographer and mixed media artist explores the historical, and contemporary aspects of memory and migration and globalization. He is the founder of Oualie Art, the Executive Director of Sight Specific Projects in NJ, an adjunct instructor at NYU/TISCH, and an Advisory Board member of En Foco Inc.

Boddie is on the Artist Advisory Committee of the New York Foundation of the Arts. His curatorial projects include Uncharted Territory at Oualie Art and Harvard Printing Center in Orange, NJ; and an upcoming exhibition titled re•con•struc•tion.

His own work has been exhibited in Paris, France, as well as the Brooklyn Museum, the Smithsonian, The Studio Museum in Harlem, the Bronx Museum of the Arts, among other venues. Awards and honors include a 2009 Fellowship from the NJ State Council on the Arts, a Studio Museum of Harlem Artist Residency, a Center for Photography at Woodstock Fellowship, the NY Foundation for the Arts Fellowship, The Center for Book Arts Artist in Residence, and a Marie Sharpe Walsh Artist in Residence.

Boddie received a BFA from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in 1989 and an MFA from Hunter College in 1997. He lives and works in West Orange, NJ. He is interested in reviewing innovative contemporary work of perspectives, that pushes the material possibilities of the photographic medium. Of special interest is alternative processes, 3-D and site specific work that incorporates photography.

Andrew Darlow, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques: An Essential Printing Resource for Photographers

Andrew Darlow is a New Jersey-based photographer, educator and consultant. Over the past 15 years, he has taught thousands how to improve their photography, workflow and digital print output at conferences, industry events, and educational institutions.

His teaching experience includes the PDN PhotoPlus Expo, Sony Digital Days, the Arles Photo Festival (Arles, France), the School of Visual Arts, Columbia University, and the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York. His work has been included in solo and group exhibitions, and his prints are held in numerous private collections.

His book, 301 Inkjet Tips and Techniques: An Essential Printing Resource for Photographers, was chosen as the winner in the “Photography: Instructional/How-To” category of The National Best Books 2008 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News. For anyone working in digital photography, workflow and/or digital output, he is available for consultation.

Peggy Feerick, George Mason University

Peggy Feerick teaches and coordinates the Photography Program at George Mason University, recently recognized by US World and News Report as the “#1 US University to Watch in up and coming schools.” Her work is exhibited both locally and nationally and represented in both private and public collections. She has received several grants and awards including George Mason’s Mathy award.

She has served as a lecturer, moderator and conference panelist, co-authored an article on “Women in Photography” and curated a photographic exhibition “The Telling Image: Portrait Photographs from the Archives of American Art” at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Feerick has taught photography for over twenty years at institution’s including, The University of New Mexico, the Smithsonian, Georgetown University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

The Photography program at George Mason University offers BA, BFA and MFA degrees. A faculty of established, mid-career and emerging artists from the surrounding areas of DC, VA and MD provide unique perspectives fostering an independent vision in each student. GMU’s photography facilities will move to a new building, opening fall, 2009 with greatly expanded space, featuring traditional, alternative and the latest in digital equipment, allowing students to pursue a full range of educational options.

Situated within Virginia’s largest University, George Mason is located in the Metro DC area in close proximity to many national resources such as the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution and The National Gallery of Art.

Ellen Fleurov, Silver Eye Center for Photography

Ellen Fleurov is Executive Director of the Silver Eye Center for Photography in Pittsburgh, one of the oldest and most highly regarded regional centers for photography in the U.S. Silver Eye presents more than 25 yearly exhibitions in its onsite and web galleries and has awarded more than $40,000 in photography fellowships over the past decade.

Prior to joining Silver Eye this year, Fleurov was the President of Ellen Fleurov and Associates/ Crossroads Traveling Exhibitions. She was the first Curator of Photography at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta (1993–1998) and then served as the Museum Director at the California Center for the Arts in San Diego (1998–2001).

The curator of over sixty exhibitions for museums and galleries on both coasts, Fleurov is the author of numerous books and articles, including:

  • “Pictures from Home: African American Studio Photographers in the South, 1900–1950” (2005)
  • “Second Sight: The Photographs of Edward Sturr, 1961–1970” (2002)
  • “No Sun Without Shadow: The Art of Harry Sternberg” (2000)
  • “Walker Evans Simple Secrets: Photographs from the Collection of Marian and Benjamin A. Hill Collection” (Harry N. Abrams, NY, 1997)
  • “Ralph Gibson/Light Years: Recent Gifts from the Kuniansky Family Collection” (1997)
  • “Picturing the South, 1860 to the Present”(Chronicle Books, 1996)
  • This Sporting Life, 1878–1991” (University of Washington Press, 1992)

Harris Fogel, Sol Mednick Gallery & Gallery 1401

Harris Fogel is an Associate Professor of Photography and Director of the Sol Mednick Gallery and Gallery 1401 in the Media Arts Department at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. The Media Arts Department offers programs in Photography, Film, Animation, and Digital Video, and houses two gallery spaces. The Sol Mednick Gallery and Gallery 1401 offer a year-round schedule of contemporary exhibitions of photography.

The Sol Mednick Gallery was founded in 1978 by then-Department Chair Ray Metzker, and is named after the founder of The University of the Arts Photography Program, Sol Mednick. It is the only endowed gallery for the exhibition of contemporary photography in Philadelphia. Harris Fogel has directed the Sol Mednick Gallery since 1997 and he founded Gallery 1401 in 1999. The Media Arts Department, home to the photography, film, digital video, and animation programs at the university, operates the galleries.

In 2001, the Sol Mednick Gallery recieved the prestigious Photo Review Award for service to photography and is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. He is reviewing work for possible exhibition at the Sol Mednick Gallery and Gallery 1401. He would prefer to view work that is fully realized and ready for exhibition.

Jeffrey Fuller, Fuller’s Fine Art Auctions

Owner of Fuller’s Fine Art Auction House, Jeffrey Fuller has been an Accredited Senior Appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers since 1984. He is available to advise photographers on how to price their work, the value of vintage prints, and general advice on the photographic marketplace.

Mary Goodwin, Lightwork

Mary Goodwin is the Assistant Director at Light Work, a non-profit organization located in Syracuse, New York, that has supported artists for over three decades with exhibitions, publications, including Contact Sheet, and residencies. She would like to see professionals who are interested in applying for a residency at Light Work and exhibiting their work.

David Horton, William Paterson University of New Jersey

David Horton has taught art at the university level for more than 45 years. He taught undergraduate and graduate photography at Pratt Institute for twenty years and is now Professor of Art and Director of the Master of Fine Arts Program at William Paterson University of New Jersey. He is interested in reviewing a wide range of student work for those who are considering graduate work at WPUNJ or elsewhere.

As a photographic practitioner, he makes photographs, things to photograph, and things with photographs. Having been schooled in the Bauhaus experimental tradition at Ohio State University, his media use spans traditional, alternative and digital photography, photographic artist’s books, sculptural construction and installation. He has exhibited widely, is represented in private and public collections, and received numerous grants and fellowships including several from the NYFA and the NEA.

The Master of Fine Arts Program at WPUNJ is a three year full time, five year part-time interdisciplinary program with course offerings in photography, computer art and animation, design, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and furniture design. Students may may choose any degree of specialization or work extensively across disciplines.

All required courses are offered in evening classes and are taught by faculty who are working professionals in their field. The university is less than 20 miles from New York City, giving ready access to the multiplicity of visual art resources the city provides.

Rebecca Michaels, Tyler School of Art at Temple University

Rebecca Michaels is an Associate Professor in the Photography Program at Tyler School of Art. Her work as a photographer, bookmaker, and graphic designer has been exhibited both nationally and internationally in a variety of venues.

She teaches digital photography to undergraduate and graduate students in new state-of-the-art studios. Potential graduate students are welcome to show their portfolios and gain feedback about how to best present their work for acceptance into the graduate program.

Evan Mirapaul, Private Collector

Evan Mirapaul lives a life immersed in the arts. Photography has become his passion. He serves on a number of museum committees, most notably at ICP as the co-chair of the library committee. His method is inquiry—to research as much about a photographer and genre as possible. He employs the words intelligence and connoisseurship when speaking about defining a collection, and shares his enthusiasm for photography on his blog, Fugitive Vision.

Travel has been a catalyst for this collector. Increasingly it has become Mirapaul’s goal to seek out photographers and galleries wherever he goes. He is a frequent visitor to Paris and Berlin, and is usually to be seen at the major Art and Photo fairs around the world. He has been a reviewer at The Mois de la Photo in Montreal, Photo Lucida in Portland, and at the Month of Photography in Budapest.

Ashley Peel Pinkham, The Print Center

Ashley Peel Pinkham received her BFA in Photography from The University of the Arts and is the Assistant Director at The Print Center in Philadelphia. Previously, she has worked with over 90 printmakers and photographers from around the world as The Print Center Gallery Store Manager. She has volunteered for numerous organizations including The Photo Review, Philagrafika and PhotoSession.

In 2002 she was an invited artist-in-residence with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania in a collaborative project entitled Body Image: A Photo Documentary. She was invited by The Center for Emerging Visual Artists to guest curate a photography exhibition in 2003 entitled Self-Centered and has juried exhibitions for Chester County Arts Association, Society for Photographic Education Mid-Atlantic Region, First Person Arts Festival and Lincoln200 Festival.

Ms. Peel Pinkham is formerly the Co-Executive Director for the Philadelphia Center for the Photographic Image (now The Light Room) and National Conference Planner for the Society for Photographic Education. She is interested in reviewing student work.

Jim Ramer, Parson’s School of Design/New School

Jim Ramer is the Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies in Photography at Parsons the New School for Design, New York City. Professor Ramer teaches courses in both practice and theory. His own photographic and installation work has been widely exhibited and published. He is interested in reviewing potential grad students and professional work.

Ariel Shanberg, Center for Photography at Woodstock

Ariel Shanberg is the Executive Director of the Center for Photography at Woodstock. Founded in 1977, CPW brings forth its mission to provide opportunities in creation, discovery, and education, for emerging, under-served, and under-recognized voices in the photographic arts to an international audience.

With year-round program offerings that include solo and curated group exhibitions, workshops, lectures, the quarterly publication PQ, residencies, workspace access, regional fellowship awards, and internships, CPW helps advance the development and careers of artists working in photography and related media. In its over 30 year history CPW has played a decisive role in the careers of some of today’s most respected image-makers.

In addition to his work at CPW, Mr. Shanberg has curated exhibitions for The Light Factory in Charlotte, NC; the Philadelphia Photographic Arts Center, and will be curating an exhibition entitled “Concerned Photographers” at the Miss Porters’ School in Farmington, CT. He has written for such publications as /Contact Sheet, Nueva Luz/, and /European Photography/. He has served on various panels and nominating committees and has been an invited juror and portfolio reviewer to FotoFest, SPE Conferences, Rhubarb Rhubarb, and Critical Mass.

Frank Schramm

Since 1981, Frank has practiced freelance photography in New York City, with an emphasis on fine art work. He has exhibited in museums and galleries in New York, Paris, San Francisco, Boston, Milan, Frankfurt, Antwerp, Lausanne, and London.

His work is represented in collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Los Angeles County Museum, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. He is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in fashion, editorial or commerical work.