Seeking photographers

Hamilton (OH) – Calling all photographers. Clean up the camera and get ready to eye the City of Hamilton through a unique lens.

The Fitton Center is one of multiple regional venues to mount exhibitions for the seventh installment of the FotoFocus Biennial - whose theme this year is "backstories" – and seeks artists to submit proposals to be included.

The 2024 Biennial exhibition is a partnership between the Fitton Center and Hamilton’s citizen-led initiative, 17STRONG. Supported by FotoFocus, the show will be installed in September and officially on view in the Fitton Center galleries from October 19 to January 3, 2025.

For the 2024 edition, the Fitton Center invites adult artists living within 60 miles of Hamilton to submit proposals for a planned group exhibition titled We > Me: 17 Artists Explore Hamilton Neighborhoods. Artists will use photography and/or other lens-based media to tell the ongoing story of Hamilton - the 10th largest city in Ohio – and unite multiple perspectives and interpretations of the "backstories" theme through their work.

The 17 selected artists will be assigned one of Hamilton’s 17 neighborhoods through a lottery and create a visual narrative from within its boundaries.

“I am looking forward to seeing who applies for the 2024 FotoFocus Biennial and the kind of proposals they submit,” said Cathy Mayhugh, Fitton Center Director of Exhibitions. “FotoFocus gives a broad prompt with the theme. It’s always interesting to see the creative ways artists interpret and narrow that down.

“With 17 different artists capturing 17 distinct neighborhoods, I anticipate a wide range of ideas and expressions.”

Submission deadline is Sunday, March 3. Applicants are asked to complete an online entry form, including file uploads of a theme statement, install specifications, resume, 10 artwork jpeg files and an image list. Each selected artist receives a $500 honorarium to support their project. Complete details and the application form are available online here.

“The FotoFocus Biennial is the largest of its kind in America,” Mayhugh said. “We are so glad to team up with them again and be part of this prestigious celebration of all lens-based art.

“The 2022 Biennial at the Fitton Center was a great success, featuring group shows curated by highly respected area photographers Kent Krugh and Michael Wilson, as well as collaborations with four area high schools. Again this year, people will be able to engage with the artists and artwork through free public receptions, artists talks, group gallery tours and other related community events.”

The Fitton Center for Creative Arts is located at 101 S. Monument Avenue on the Riverfront in downtown Hamilton, Ohio.

Building Community Excellence through the Arts and Culture