Interlines, Lifelines, Redlines:
Social Markers of Race, Class & Economics
This juried exhibition, conceived in partnership with Juror, Eric Kunsman looked to document our current moment in time by revisiting and updating the social documentary work first done through the FSA in an attempt to draw attention to the changing social structure and divisions currently playing out across the country. We sought to capture and catalog the signs and landmarks that call out these social divisions… and present a diverse look across the country with work includes work from:
Christine Acebo, Jimmie Allen, Robin Bailey, Pat Barton, Denise Bass, Joshua Bezdek, Sharon Bibeault, Sally Bousquet, Ronald Butler, Tianqiutao Chen, Kerr Ivan Cirilo, Daniel Cook, John Diephouse, Timothy Durant, Dan Farnum, Marcus Fields, Louise Fiore, Elizabeth Fisher, Jordan Gale, Esther Garcia, Kristie Gardiner, Steve Genatossio, David Gordon, Ryan Green, Barbara Groom, Marc Jaffe, Bonnie Jaffe, Gigi Janko, Richard K Kent, Amanda Kline, Donald Kratt, Rebecca Kuri, Leslie Landerkin, Suzanne Lovett, Marilyn LowneyJohnson, Robert Martin, Kathryn Matthews, Ellen Mitchell, Paul Murray, Tim OHara, Jay Phyfer, Patrick Plaia, Howard Pohl, Robin Radin, André Ramos-Woodard, Marisa Rapezzi, Susan Ressler, Terry Rochford, Izzy Rodriguez, Richard Schramm, Skip Smith, Tom Stoffregen, Michael Tonkovic, VC Torneden, Kathleen Tunnell Handel, David Whitney & Caren Winnall

Awards and Prize Winning photographs
Video of Juror’s talk and Awards Presentation
Click the image above to View the exhibition in virtual 360˙walkthrough
Also in the Gallery: #Payphonemaps: Scavenger Hunt & Exhibition The scavenger hunt was launched in March and grew out of Eric’s Felicific Calculus project, exhibited in our gallery back in April and viewable online.
Opening Reception: October 19th 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
On View: Thursday, October 19th, thru Friday, November 10th, 2023
Free and Open to the Public
Opening Reception & Awards Presentation: Oct 19th, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI
Juror’s Statement:
This call for entry was created in the hopes that we would see a broad array of work from photographers who have focused on the objects that define areas of a community and simply what struggles a “Community” may be facing. The title Interlines, Lifelines, Redlines: Social Markers of Race, Class, & Economics allows the photographers to bring their perspective to their observations of issues affecting race, class, and economics of a community or group they have turned their lens towards. As photographers, we have the opportunity to inform the viewers of our images about topics that need to be pushed forward to our audience to allow for social changes. The FSA had created a collection of photographs that documented life between 1935 & 1944. Through this exhibition, we created a modern view of various communities and the social issues affecting race, class, and economics during this period. The title was designed to be broad, allowing a wide selection of visual sociology to be submitted.
The RICPA community responded in a big way thanks to support from Fujifilm and the incredible breadth of topics and issues submitted for this exhibition. As the juror, I was overwhelmed by the level and narratives that were submitted to this call, and I was pleased that not a single person submitted payphones, as I have documented as my community social marker. In fact, I found it nearly impossible to narrow most photographic projects down to a single image because of the narrative and storytelling the projects presented. In total, there were five projects accepted, eight triptychs, and many others with multiple photos accepted into the exhibition. I hope that viewers of the show understand the narratives that the photographic projects bring forward within the gallery walls. The photographs on display become a more extensive exhibition showcasing a cross-section of the issues that communities and individuals are facing worldwide.
In the end, I hope that viewers of this exhibition pause and think about each of the issues being raised by the photographers and reflect on the overall message of this exhibition. At that point, if a viewer goes back to their community and reflects on whether their community is facing some of the same issues, we have succeeded in bringing these topics to the forefront. Hopefully, this can start a dialog between community members and serve as a sounding board for potential future action and policy adjustments. This is a grand idea, but we must begin by bringing the discussion back to our communities.
– Eric Kunsman
About the Juror:
Eric Kunsman is a photographer and book artist based out of Rochester, New York where he owns and operates Booksmart Studio. Eric works at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) as an Assistant Professor for the Visual Communications Studies Department at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and is an Assistant Professor for the School of Photographic Arts & Sciences.
Eric was named one of 10 B&W photographers to watch of 2018 by BWGallerist; B&W Best Photographers of the Year 2019 by Dodho Magazine; won the Association of Photography (UK) Gold Award for Open Series in 2019; Finalist, Top 200 Critical Mass 2019, 2020, 2021; Top 15 Photographers for the Rust Belt Biennial; and Lensculture B&W Jurors’ Pick 2021. His Project Felicific Calculus was also awarded a Warhol Foundations Grant through CEPA Gallery in Buffalo, NY. Eric’s work has also been published in magazines such as; Bloomberg Businessweek, LensWork, Dodho, B&W Photography, Analog Explorations, All About Photo, Black+White Photography (UK), Dek Unu, along with online articles by Analog Forever Magazine, Catalyst: Interview, Texas Photo Society, and others.
The RI Center for Photographic Arts, RICPA 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI 02903
Located in the heart of Providence, RICPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, education, publication, and mutual support.
RICPA exists to create a diverse and supportive community for individuals interested in learning or working in the Photographic Arts. We strive to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an open and cooperative space. Members should share a passion for creating, appreciating, or learning about all forms of photo-based media. We work to provide a platform for artistic expression, that fosters dialogue and drives innovation in the photographic arts.
The Gallery at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is a member of Gallery Night Providence https://www.gallerynight.org/
Want to become a RICPA Member? Membership brings many benefits and discounts, for more information and to find the membership level that fits you, visit our website at https://www.riphotocenter.org/membership-info/ You may become a member at entry, member benefits begin immediately and run 365 days from your start date. Membership starts by registering at https://www.riphotocenter.org/registration
Size Limit: Maximum size 48” including the frame. Artists may have multiple pieces (diptych, triptych etc.) to make up one work.
In-Person Delivery of Accepted Work: In-person deliveries will be accepted October 14th, noon till 5:30pm or by appointment.
The RICPA Gallery is located on the 2nd Floor at 118 North Main Street Providence, RI
Questions: Contact gallery@riphotocenter.org To learn about other RICPA exhibits and programs, visit https://www.riphotocenter.org/
Leave a Reply