ANNUAL MEMBERS’ SHOW

Juror: Brent Lewis

JUNE 28 – AUGUST 10, 2024

Opening Reception and Award Ceremony with Juror at Colorado Photographic Arts Center

1200 Lincoln St, Suite 111, Denver, CO 80203

Saturday, June 29, 2024

5 – 8 pm

All events are free and open to the public

To see a highly selective survey of the best contemporary photography from Colorado and across the country, don’t miss CPAC’s 61st Annual Juried Members’ Show. This tradition showcases CPAC’s talented community of over 600 members and provides artists with an important exhibition opportunity.

Juror Brent Lewis, Co-founder of Diversify Photo and a Photo Editor at The New York Times, selected photographs by 34 CPAC members to exhibit. He also selected 19 additional works for inclusion in the exhibition catalog and a tv slideshow in the gallery as a Special Mention subset. All together, the show highlights works by 53 CPAC members selected from a pool of 214 photographers who submitted more than 1,000 images.

At the Opening Reception and Award Ceremony on June 29th, Lewis presented his selections for Best in Show and two Honorable Mentions. The Best in Show winner received $350 and the image was added to our Permanent Collection. The Director’s Choice winner received $150, presented by Samantha Johnston, CPAC Executive Director & Curator. All award winners also received an exhibition catalog.

Copies of the exhibition catalog can be purchased on Blurb for $20. 

(Pictured Above: Humpback Whales Bubble Net Feeding, detail, by Frank Zurey)

EXHIBITING ARTISTS

Tom Arnold, Rod Baldwin, Russell C. Banks, MaryV, Josh Bergeron, John Bonath, Daniel Brenner, Annette LeMay Burke, Jo Ann Chaus, Michael Chioran, Theresa Corrada, Ron Davis, Jane Waggoner Descher, Fran Forman, Hollie Giannaula, Alexander Heilner, Ron Hendricks, Alison Lake, Denise Laurinaitis, Ian Lipton, Kyle Lui, Aimee B McCrory, Michael A. Nowotny, Stephen W. Podrasky, Gordon Saperia, Laurie Smith, Abhi Sur, Frank Varney, Kenneth Wajda, Wendy Wetmore, Sherry Wiggins & Luis Branco, Glen Wilbert, William Woody, and Frank Zurey. 

SPECIAL MENTIONS

Robert Anderson, Tom Arnold, Alexandra Bagley, Dr. Laurie Rae Baxter, Tracy Burke, E J Carr, Neil Corman, Sandra Horrocks, Erin Karp, Don Kohlbauer, Kyle Lui, Sandy Ostroff, Camden Paillot, Gordon Saperia, Erin Schoepke, Ryan Tanner, David Thoutt, John Westbrook, and William Woody.

Juror’s Statement

The 38 captivating photographs adorning the walls of this year’s Colorado Photographic Arts Center’s Member Show offer a mesmerizing journey through the myriad realms of visual storytelling. Spanning genres and styles, these images testify to the boundless creativity and innovation thriving within the realm of photography. Over two centuries of evolution have transformed this medium into a vibrant tapestry of expression, amplifying diverse voices and perspectives in ways previously unimaginable. 

Perusing the 1092 submissions from 214 talented photographers, one is struck by the kaleidoscope of narratives and emotions captured within each frame. Yet amidst this dazzling array, certain images possess a rare quality—an ineffable resonance that lingers in the mind and stirs the soul. These are the photographs that transcend mere visual representation, engaging the viewer on a profound, emotive level. 

For me, a truly exceptional photograph is one that speaks volumes with every glance. It weaves a spellbinding tale through its interplay of light and shadow, its meticulous composition, and its nuanced palette of hues. But beyond technical prowess, it is the emotional impact—the visceral response it elicits—that distinguishes a remarkable image from the rest. 

Photography, at its essence, is a medium of revelation—a conduit for illuminating the hidden corners of human experience, for evoking empathy, and for sparking wonder. It is this transformative power that renders it an unparalleled art form—a potent instrument of connection and introspection. 

Consider, for instance, Annette LeMay Burke’s evocative exploration of memory and nostalgia, as she breathes new life into old family photographs through imaginative projection. Or reflect on Jane Waggoner Deschner’s ingenious fusion of two and three-dimensional elements, crafting visual narratives that transcend the boundaries of traditional photography. 

In the works of William Woody and Denise Laurinaitis, shadows take on a life of their own, beckoning the viewer into a realm of mystery and intrigue. Through their masterful manipulation of light and form, they challenge us to question, to wonder, to see beyond the surface and into the depths of the human experience. 

In essence, the Colorado Photographic Arts Center’s Member Show is a celebration of the boundless ingenuity and passion that infuse every pixel and every frame. Each photograph is a testament to the artist’s vision, a testament to the power of photography to move, to inspire, and to endure in the hearts and minds of all who behold it. 

 – Brent Lewis, Co-Founder of Diversify Photo and a Photo Editor at The New York Times

EXHIBITION PREVIEW

SPECIAL MENTIONS  

About the Juror

Brent Lewis is a Photo Editor based out of New York City, co-founder of Diversify Photo and originally from Chicago, the greatest city in the world, South Side to be exact. Brent is a photo editor at The New York Times working on the Home Page and breaking news desk. 

Formerly, Lewis was Photo Editor at The Washington Post and the Senior Photo Editor of ESPN’s The Undefeated, where he drove the visual language of the website that is based around the intersection of sports, race, and culture. Before turning over to photo editing, he was a staff photojournalist with stints at The Denver Post, The Rockford Register Star and the Chillicothe Gazette. Through the years his photos have been used by the Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, Associated Press, Forbes, and Yahoo! News.