January, 2026

Looking for ways to start 2026 on a positive note, and bring people together…
      I decided to try to spread a little joy with our invitational Studio Pinhole Project, and we will be following up with a yearlong exploration of pinhole photography.

I picked Pinhole Photography to start the year, not only because is it where photography started, but because, it is the most democratic form of photography, available to everyone regardless of geography, resources, or access to technology. Anyone can make a pinhole camera out of materials readily available at home, and the quality of the resulting images are dependent on time invested, not on the amount of money invested to capture them… 

While the Studio Pinhole Project is an invitational, primarily conceived as a token of thanks to our collaborators, it will be followed by a number of related projects and workshops open to anyone interested in joining in. In early February, as the remaining cameras, being tested by Analog Saturday members, are returned, we will begin releasing cameras for the RI Pinhole Project. Workshops to explore Pinhole Photography, and build your own pinhole cameras will follow. Check back in February for details…

 

In person gallery events:
Hands on activities, demonstrations, conversations, and more.

New for 2026 and starting January 24th we will be launching a new opportunity for members and their guests to gather, share, and learn in an informal setting. Join us in the gallery on the 4th Saturday of each month at 9:30am. We will be exploring and presenting a rotating selection of topics loosely tied to upcoming exhibitions and largely driven by Member Feedback and Participation.
The program will start on the 24th with a look at photo books. For this first session participants are encouraged to bring a book to share, artist books, handmade, self published, or just grab your favorite commercially published book and come prepared to participate..

As part of our exploration of artist books, we will be sharing Pete Sousa’s book along with several artist books available in our library to explore both the power of books, and options to present your own work in book form.
Future sessions will offer a more in-depth look at self publishing, and alternate with a morning version of our Wednesday Night Print Share & Peer Review program, and more. 

January 15th…  We are hosting a Second Chance Reception for our 6th Annual Community Member Exhibition. A chance to gather, to celebrate, and an invitation to Share the joy, share your photography, and share the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts with a friend.  Work purchased will be available to take home off the wall…

January 24th… for our new 4th Saturday of the month program to explore photo books, artist books and more…
Join us for our first Book Share and info session on artist books and self publishing
Bring a book to share, either a book you made, or your favorite photo book.  Grab a book and join us…

January 31st… In Conversation: 6th Annual Community Exhibitors
In person, open conversations with the current exhibitors featured in our 6th Annual Community Members Exhibition.
Meet Members, learn about membership options, and learn about new programs starting in 2026.
Grab a a friend or two and join us, 9:30- 11:00am

 

Our Visual Storytelling Workshop Starts Online January 21st, a few seats are still available…

Visual Storytelling Workshop & Mentorship Program  Our next session of this popular program will be starting in January.  If you are looking for feedback to develop your next (or your first) project, this is the program for you. A few past projects developed here include; Resume of a Stay at Home Mom by Carrie Usmar, Mark Dixon’s Rocking the Boat, Finding Mary by Denise Bass, and Martha Wakefield’s Unearthing an Insane Past currently on display in our Focus Gallery. We are looking for photographers looking to think and work beyond the single photograph to form our next cohort.

We will resume our regular schedule starting in February, with the addition of the new 4th Saturday of the month program.
4th Saturdays programming will present a rotating selection of topics. 

Analog Saturdays:  No Meeting in January, but join us on February 7th, 9:30am for conversation, sharing and occasional presentations by members and service providers. Open to Members and prospective members, shooting film, or an interest in working with any analog process.

Print Share/ Peer Review: Bring some work to share and, No Meeting in January, but join us on Wednesday February 11th, at 6:30.  There will be no meeting in January, but the program will return on February 11th.

4th Saturday Print Share & Peer Review
Saturday February 28th at 9:30am
Join Us for this Saturday morning version of this popular program. Bring a few prints, half a dozen (or more) or just come to observe and share your feedback. The purpose of the event is to share new or work in progress and get constructive feedback from your peers.

Details and links to events are included below, and also available on our website at riphotocenter.org
The gallery is open Wednesdays – Saturdays,  Noon – 6:00pm or by appointment

 

                                             – David DeMelim
                                               Managing Director

 

 

 

Workshops & Mentorship:

Project Development, Storytelling, Photo Essays and the Personal Project with David H. Wells 

If you are looking to start your first project, refine an existing one, or start a new one, this is the program for you. Image selection, sequencing, project statements, and presentation are all covered in this Visual Storytelling workshop.

Second Chance Reception January 15th

6th Annual Open Community Members Exhibition 
                 Be a Friend, Bring a Friend

Join us as start another year with our Annual Open Community Member Exhibition, Be a Friend, and Bring a Friend.  
An un-juried presentation of work from our Members and their Guests.

Work purchased will be available to take home at the time of sale.

Second Chance Reception: January 15th 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
In Conversation: January 31st, 9:30- 11:00am
Exhibition: Thursday, December 18th thru Friday, February 13th, 2026

 

New & in person for 2026…

       Join Us on the 4th Saturday of the Month

Join Us as we explore Photographs in book form,
      Artist books, Handmade, Self published, or Commercially published.

Grab a book to share and join us… We will starting off with a look at Pete Souza’s amazing book from the gallery library and a selection of other books featuring work from past exhibitions.

Future sessions will continue to explore handmade books and self publishing options, but will also rotate with other topics related to upcoming exhibitions and a Saturday Morning edition of our popular Print Share program.

Open to anyone with an interest in photography, and learning more about the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts. Ideal for anyone interested in seeing new work and developing their vocabulary to provide constructive feedback when talking about photography and artwork in general

Saturday, January 24th  9:30 am – 11:30 am

 

In Conversation: 6th Annual Community Exhibitors

Join us, in person, for open conversations with the current exhibitors featured in our 6th Annual Community Members Exhibition.
Meet Members, learn about membership options, and learn about new programs starting in 2026.
Grab a a friend or two and join us,

January 31st, 9:30- 11:00am

 

 

Analog Saturdays: 
                       First Saturday of the Month

Join us in the gallery Saturday, February 7th 9:30am (no session in January), we’ll provide the Coffee…

Come for Coffee, Conversation and to Share the joys, (and challenges) of Analog Photography.

Open to Members, and prospective members, who are working with film, or other analog photographic process. This program will run on the first Saturday of the month, and much like our Print Share & Peer Review program, will offer participants the opportunity to share their work, their knowledge, and their resources. The program will also provide the opportunity for short presentations by members or invited presenters.  

 

Join us Saturday, February 7th  
Coffee & Film: First Saturdays,  9:30am

 

Print Share & Peer Review: 
                       Second Wednesday of the Month

Join us at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts for an open peer review. Bring a few prints, half a dozen (or more) will do or just come to observe and share your feedback. The purpose of the event is to share new or work in progress and get constructive feedback from your peers. We are looking to provide an interactive experience where members can both give and receive feedback on work presented. Members or prospective members are encouraged to bring a print or small selection of prints to share with the group. This is a not a formal portfolio review, but a chance to receive some feedback from fellow members on your current work. 

Who is the evening designed for?

Open to anyone with an interest in photography learning more about the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts. Ideal for anyone interested in seeing new work and developing their vocabulary to provide constructive feedback when talking about photography and artwork in general

Wednesday, February 11th  6:30 pm – 8:30 pm            
No session in January…

Join us in the gallery for our next scheduled in person Print Share & Peer Review session 6:30, February 11th. 

Print Share & Peer Review Sessions are generally scheduled for 6:30, on the second Wednesday of the month.
Check the events section on our website for more information and updates on in person events.

Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts (RICPA) riphotocenter.org
118 North Main Street, 2nd Floor, Providence RI 02903  401-400-2542

 

Past Exhibitions Live On… 

The Exhibition may have ended… but the exhibition lives on online.
Once a gallery presentation ends, our exhibitions remain available online… The original exhibition links remain active and our past exhibitions can found under Exhibitions> Past or order your own copy of select exhibition catalogs here 

Exhibition catalogs are a new program launched in 2023 and are available for most of our exhibitions.  Catalogs are available in the gallery in limited quantities and links to order can be found on the respective exhibition pages and collected here to be ordered for home delivery

 

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 time of entry, member benefits begin immediately and run 365 days from your start date.

 

Individual Portfolio/Project Reviews:

Individual feedback opportunities are available on an ongoing basis in four different formats for 2023. These review sessions can be used to preview new work, share ideas and explore future directions or projects in development. Appointments can be scheduled online for Zoom or in person sessions at www.riphotocenter.org/portfolio-reviews-and-consultations   
Registration is open for our annual 20 minute individual Member review sessions. 
We are also offering 45 minute one on one sessions open to the public via zoom or in person at the Gallery 
New for 2022 we will also be offering “Lunch with the Director” for those interested in a more immersive conversations about your work and your goals. Lunch is included with these two hour more casual sessions.  Questions can be directed to gallery@riphotocenter.org

                                                                  

Currently Available Online:

All of our exhibitions are available on the RICPA website, past exhibitions can be found here https://www.riphotocenter.org/category/exhibits/past