Trending
The Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona has announced the Donald M. Robinson Photography Biennial, which will feature an exhibition, an awards celebration, photography symposium, a publication of essays, and an outdoor exhibition.
The Donald M. Robinson Photography Biennial is a juried photography exhibition that will feature work by photographers from across the world. Cash awards will include a top prize of $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place award, and $750 for the third-place award. Juried by Dan Leers, the Curator of Photography at the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Biennial exhibition will feature approximately 50-100 artists and photographers and will be exhibited in all three galleries of SAMA Altoona throughout the summer -- June 2 through Sept. 10. The exhibition and events are proudly sponsored by the Donald & Sylvia Robinson Family Foundation.
An Altoona native, Donald M. Robinson was an internationally acclaimed photographer who traveled the world in search of compelling images. Numbering in excess of 800 objects, the Robinson collection includes documentary and nature photographs taken on six continents and in more than 60 countries. Although diverse, Robinson's subjects are united in his self-conscious search for beauty and universal empathy. Echoing nineteenth-century paintings of the Hudson River School, Robinson's landscape photographs are notable for their amplitude and scenic grandeur. He exhibited his work widely and received numerous distinctions, including the title of EFIAP (Artist of Excellence) from the Federation Internationale de l'Art Photographique and the Galaxy Award of the Photographic Society of America. He died in 2017 at age 91 in Boca Raton, Florida.
Related events
≥ Awards celebration at 7 p.m. June 9 -- The opening event for a three-day photography symposium will feature live music, refreshments, and an award presentation recognizing the recipients and their outstanding works. This event is open to the public with an admission fee of $10.
≥ Three-Day Symposium, June 9 to June 11 -- Will feature talks by artists from around the country and from different creative backgrounds. Includes panels and conversations, lectures, and discussions regarding the current state and future of the photographic medium.
This event will be of interest to any professional photographers and artists working in the contemporary field, as this will be a great opportunity to receive feedback on ongoing projects, participate in contemporary photographic discourse, and more. Among the scheduled speakers are Spandita Malik, an Indian visual artist concerned with women's rights and gendered violence; Kevin Quiles Bonilla, an interdisciplinary artist born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Rich Wade, a WWE photographer and commercial photographer.
The cost of an in-person pass is $120 for the entirety of the symposium including awards celebration. Virtual passes can be purchased for $25. Explore Altoona is the destination marketing partner of the Donald M. Robinson symposium. For overnight lodging and other things to do in Altoona, visit www.explorealtoona.com.
≥ An outdoor exhibition throughout downtown Altoona -- a public installation and self-guided walking tour celebrating photography, with pieces installed throughout downtown Altoona.
≥ In support of the Biennial exhibition, SAMA will publish a collection of essays featuring contributions from artists, theorists, and writers concerning the state of photography and future of the medium. This publication will be available for purchase during the Biennial exhibition.
≥ Youth and Adult Photography Camps -- Designed to provide opportunities for individuals of all ages to explore the world of photography and creative self-expression. The youth photo camp is set for 12:30-3:30 p.m. May 20-21 and is for ages 13-18; it encourages students to use their cameras to express themselves creatively. The adult photo camp takes place from
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 6-7 and will focus on the various mediums within photography, including traditional film photography, alternative processes, and digital photography. Taught by a former photography professor, participants in these two camps will have the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Registration is required for the 3-day symposium and photography camps at least one week before the event date and can be made online or by contacting the museum. Note that space is limited for these events. Symposium attendees can receive a special discounted room rate at the Wingate by Wyndham Altoona by using the discount link provided in your registration email confirmation. The awards celebration and exhibition do not require reservations.
For more information on the exhibition and all associated events, visit the SAMA website at https://www.sama-art.org/robinsonbiennial.