Since 1992, the Phillips’ Mill Community Association’s anual juried photography exhibition near New Hope has drawn thousands of submissions from hobbyists and professionals throughout the region. All of them submit with the common goal of having their images hung on the historic mill’s walls.
In an effort to broaden the scope of what is offered, coupled with new technologies, the Phillips’ Mill Photo Show Committee is looking to create an easier platform for digital photography. In order to achieve these goals, the Photo Show Committee has opted to take a year off to regroup and rebrand. The show will return in 2020 with Photo Show 2.0 for the 27th exhibition.
Spencer Saunders, the exhibition’s founder, will oversee the program’s continued success.
A photography enthusiast himself, Saunders transformed his love of the art into the widely respected exhibition. With exciting improvements on the horizon, Saunders said he will spearhead, shape, and oversee the program’s exciting future, and that he hopes to “raise the level of photography” and “increase awareness of fine art photography in our community.”
From Mill members to volunteers, as well as hobbyists and pros who make a living behind the camera, Saunders wants to “broaden the viewership to better respect and understand the importance of fine art photography.”
“Photography can be a complex visual language,” he said. “We want the work that artists are passionate about and speaks to them personally.”
Saunders and the Photo Show Committee hope to offer new opportunities for photographers, such as promoting award winners, monthly newsletters, photo workshops, roundtable discussions, lecture series and more.
The exhibition’s theme since its inception has remained “Photography as Art” and “Photographer as Artist.” Each year jurors review submissions and select 135 to 150 images to be displayed during the annual exhibition.
Photographers are encouraged to submit a body of work created within the past five years to keep the work as fresh and current as possible. Images may be in any photographic medium, from historic to alternative and digital.
For updates about Photo Show 2.0, including the call for art deadlines and next year’s show schedule, visit the Phillips’ Mill Website, PhillipsMill.org, or become a member to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
The photography exhibition is held at the 1756 grist mill located at 2619 River Road, just outside New Hope, Bucks County. Dates have not yet been set for 2020 but are planned for the same spring-into-summer time period.
Note: The information in this story is from a news release.
