Picturama continued its quest to make art more accessible and approachable as another round wrapped up Feb. 25 in the ByWard Market Square.
Held for the first time Nov. 26, 2013, Picturama is a one-night art show where anyone from the general public can showcase his or her photography regardless of skill level by submitting their own four-by-four or four-by-six photos.
The photos are available for purchase for $2 each, with $1 going towards the artist, and $1 going towards supporting the next Picturama show.
The second Picturama was home to over 550 photo submissions from around 50 submitters. High school students, doctors, Instagram enthusiasts, and professionals all submitted their own work.
The submissions are anonymous, enabling pictures taken by amateur photographers to be displayed side-by-side with professional photos. Photographers, however, can display their name on the back of their own works if they choose.
Blair Smith, a former Carleton University journalism student and one of the organizers of Picturama, said the event is a cheap and easy way for photographers to showcase their work and experiment with what kind of art appeals to the audience.
“It’s great to have an anonymous photography show,” she said. “No one is on a higher plain than another, and it’s great for students.”
Along with Instagram and vintage photos, this round of Picturama also featured a separate section for photos taken by analogue cameras, as the analogue photography company Lomography has begun to support the show.
Lomography is donating a Diana camera to one of the photographers who submitted an analogue photo, and is also featuring an article about the event in their magazine, in hopes of promoting more accessible art and amateur photography through analogue cameras.
Amanda Carlea, a photography lover who attended the event but did not submit her own work, said Picturama is a unique way to interact with the community.
“I like that these pieces are submitted by people who believe this is their best work and want to share it with their community,” she said. “We live in age where photography is constantly changing but when you put art out in this way it makes it more personable.”
There were also many returning attendees and participants from the first Picturama, according to Smith.
Stéphanie Chouinard, a first-time participant who attended the inaugural Picturama, said she saw familiar faces at the event.
A self-described amateur photographer, Chouinard linked her love of travelling to her submissions. She also said she admires the eclecticism of the event.
“You get pictures from here and everywhere in the world, pictures that are random and you don’t know who took them, and you can make what you want out of them,” she said.
Chouinard also noted the difference between Picturama and other photography and art events hosted at the National Arts Centre.
“Every picture is $2 so it reaches out to people who think going into a formal gallery is a bit intimidating perhaps,” she said.
Laura Stevens, who submitted 10 photos, said Picturama is a good way to get your name out as an up-and-coming photographer.
“It’s definitely a good networking tool where you can meet other photographers in the area,” she said.
Stevens said she admires the accessibility of this event.
“It’s only $2 to get in and $2 to take a picture. You can’t get more accessible than that unless you’re giving them away for free. I would absolutely participate again,” she said.
The next Picturama is to be held sometime in April, according to Smith. The event has also spread to Montreal, where Quebec’s first Picturama is going to be held in March.
“We want to try to make [Picturama] a national thing, because it’s spreading the love of photography,” Smith said.
