Saskatchewan photographers have a new opportunity to show off their work. The Saskatchewan Photography Awards, held with the Saskatchewan Prairie Light Photography Festival, will give someone the chance to get a gallery show.
Don Stein, Executive Director of the Godfrey Dean, says their goal was to do something new with a photography prize, and they decided to focus on a body of work rather than a single photograph. Stein admits this is a much different focus than many other photography prizes, and Stein admits that it’s going to be an ambitious undertaking for both photographers and judges.
“This is quite a bit more work for both sides, because the judges have to go through a lot of photographs.”
Part of the goal is to have “work that’s about something,” explains Stein, rather than a variety of images. He says that part of the challenge is finding a thematic link between the different images, and having an idea behind them.
“What we’re looking for is some thoughtfulness. Anyone can accidentally take a great picture with a digital camera, but take 20 great pictures and send those in.”
There will be two categories that people can enter. The professional category is the bigger one, and will require 20-24 images, as well as the work they have posted online. Entrants in the enthusiast category have to submit less work, but are also encouraged to share their online presence.
The inclusion of the online element, which is weighted equally with the submitted work, was a way to get a better idea of the artist and their point of view, explains Stein.
“In many cases it’s very illuminating to look at the rest of the work that they didn’t choose, which I, as a curator, might find more interesting.”
The competition is specifically for Saskatchewan photographers, whether they are located here or an ex-pat identify as a Saskatchewan artist.
The prize for the professional category is a solo exhibition at Godfrey Dean Art Gallery, printing and exhibition framing, professional prize of $1,650. There is also the Enthusiast category, the prize being a group exhibition for 4 to 6 photographers at Godfrey Dean Art Gallery, printing and exhibition framing and a photographer prize of $300 each. The entry fee is $20 for the professional category and $10 for the enthusiast category.
The full list of requirements is available at saskprairielight.com. The entry deadline is March 31. They hope to announce the winners on April 16.
