July, 2026

Summer Birthdays… and the gallery will be closed July 3rd & 4th

Currently in the gallery: Hiding in Plain Sight  on view through July 10th.
       Join us for the closing reception on July 10th, 5:00 – 7:00pm 

Next in the Gallery:  Join us For the Opening Reception of our 12th International Call, with Crista Dix

Results for our Spotlight Member Exhibition will be posted on our about July 10th. Thank you to all the members who submitted work for review.

 

In person gallery events:

Analog Saturday – 
NO Session Saturday July 4th – Join Us in August 1st
Join Us, on the First Saturday of each month for Coffee discussions of all things analog. Feel free to bring film, or alternate process based work to share.  Books and related resources to share are also welcome.

Print Share & Peer Review
July 8th,  6:30 – 8:30pm
Join us on the Second Wednesday of each month for an evening Open House and Peer Review session. Bring some work to share and get energized….

Closing Reception
Friday July 10th, 5:00 – 7:00pm
Join Us, for this last look at Hiding in Plain Sight, 
The exhibition will continue on online, and exhibition catalogs are available through the exhibition webpage.  Pickup of work in the show is available starting at 6:00pm.
End of exhibition Pickup: Saturday July 11th, Noon – 5:00pm

Next in the Gallery
12th International Call : a Juried look at Contemporary Photography
Opening Reception July 16th, 5:00 – 8:00pm

4th Saturday Morning Book Share & Self Publishing
Saturday July 25th, 9:30 – 11:30pm
Join us for a Saturday morning exploration of photo books. Bring a book or work to share, meet some members and get a wide range of feedback as we explore photography in book form..

Beyond the Gallery:  
Discover: Rhode Island, a selection of my own photographs of South County. The exhibition is presented at the McGarth Judicial Complex in Wakefield, RI as part of our upcoming 401 Project.

We are a still looking for Members to Claim their Frame, as we run a single roll of film through our Pentax Spotmatic 35mm camera. The Camera is being passed from member to member until all 36 exposures have been made. Your challenge is to expose a single frame to leave your mark on this project as we showcase our collective talents. Participation is first come, first served and the project will culminate in an online exhibition and book featuring the participating members. Read on for a more detailed explanation or visit our website to Claim your Frame.

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

 

 

 

Hiding in Plain Sight: Unseen, Forgotten, or Abandoned

This juried exhibition was conceived to draw attention to all those things we often choose to overlook, even though they are ever present. Be it People, Places, Things, or Technologies, we were interested in providing an incentive to look a little more closely all the world around us.  Surrounded by our past accomplishments, and failures, who decides what is valued, and what is remembered?  

Juried by Lou Jones, this exhibition is presented with the hope of reflecting on what we value, what we choose to remember, with a fair dose of humor and irony thrown in. Much of what is presented defies explanation.  We hope your encounter with this exhibition leaves you with a more questions than answers, and motivates you to look a little closer, and be inspired to imagine a brighter future. 

This exhibition opened on June 18th, 2026. The 86 photographs selected were drawn from a pool of over 800 images to create this exhibition and we would like to thank everyone who submitted work for consideration, and we will be revisiting all the entries as we work to fill out our 2027 exhibition schedule.

Exhibition: Thursday, June 18th thru Friday, July 10th, 2026
Closing Reception: July 10th, 5:00 – 7:00pm – Early pickup is available starting at 6:00pm
End of exhibition Pickup:  July 11th, Noon – 5:00pm

 

Next in the Gallery:

12th International Call: Crista Dix, Juror

A Juried look at Contemporary Photography

Our 12th International Open Call exhibition will open on July 16th, 2025 as a showcase for contemporary photography as complied by Crista Dix, Director of the Griffin Museum of Photography. The work in this exhibition was selected from an international call for entries to provide an updated look at current photographic practice. The 80 photographs selected were drawn from a pool of almost 800 images to create this exhibition and we would like to thank everyone who submitted work for consideration. In the end, the exhibition brings together the work of 80 photographers from 27 States to be a part of our 12th Open Call Exhibition. We are excited to be able to continue this annual exhibition, providing the opportunity to bring the work of so many new photographers to Providence.  We will be reviewing all entries at a later date as we look for photographers to feature in 2027 and beyond.     

Delivery: July 11th, Noon – 5:00pm

Opening reception: Thursday, July 16th, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Exhibition: Thursday, July 16th thru Friday, August 14th, 2026
Closing Reception: August 14th, 5:00 – 7:00pm 

 

Coming in August: 

7th Annual Spotlight Member Exhibition: Neal Rantoul, Juror

 

One of three annual member exhibitions here at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, this Spotlight series was conceived as a way to present ideas that carry across a group of images and to shine a light on our members. This juried exhibition provides the opportunity to present expanded look at the members featured and the different ways  a selection of images can be assembled to present an idea beyond a single frame.

This annual exhibition series provides both an opportunity and a challenge to our members, to explore how photographs can work together… for some it is a new concept, for others it is an incentive to finish projects already in progress or share something new. I’m happy to provide this opportunity to present the work of our members and celebrate their ability, commitment and the time invested to realize these ongoing projects. 

A special thank you to all the members who submitted projects for consideration and to all our members for their ongoing support.  
The juror’s selections will be posted on or before July 10th

This Member exhibition will be presented in tandem with the solo exhibition from Gail Samuelson, recipient of the exhibition prize from last year’s Spotlight Exhibition. This year’s recipient of the solo exhibition will be announced at the opening reception.

Delivery of accepted work: August 15th

Opening reception: Thursday, August 18th, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Exhibition: Thursday, August 18th thru Friday, September 10th, 2026
Closing Reception: September 10th, 5:00 – 7:00pm 

 

In the Focus Gallery:

Curious Conversations: Gail Samuelson

Opening in Tandem with our 7th Annual Spotlight Exhibition, Gail’s solo exhibition will be presented in the Focus Gallery. This exhibition opportunity was earned by her entry in last year’s Spotlight Exhibition, as selected by juror, Karen Haas.

The work presented are polymer photogravures, an intaglio print process, that produces rich blacks and a tactile feel, not available in a jpeg. Photogravures are hand pulled prints requiring a commitment of time, concentration, and care from the practitioner, not required from traditional digital printmaking processes.

The work was conceived as diptychs and triptychs presented in conversation, with groupings of two or three images arranged to extend a conversation across the series. As a viewer you are welcome to explore commonalties, discord, and tonal shifts as opportunity for discovery, and possible meanings.

 

Presented in Tandem with our 7th Annual Spotlight Exhibition 
Opening reception: Thursday, August 18th, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Exhibition: Thursday, August 18th thru Friday, September 10th, 2026
Closing Reception: September 10th, 5:00 – 7:00pm 

 

Beyond the Gallery:

Discover Rhode Island: Selections from South County 

At the McGrath Judicial Complex, 4800 Tower Hill Rd. Wakefield, RI 

On View Through: August 27th

A collection of photographs that celebrate Summer in South County.

This exhibition presents a selection of work from Managing Director, David DeMelim.  The display presents two views, mixing selection of images straight out of camera with a selection of Built Panoramas, capturing the energy and vibrance of coastal Rhode Island.

On View: Through August 27th, 2026
McGrath Judicial Complex: 4800 Tower Hill Rd, Wakefield, RI

 

 

Workshops, Mentorship & Member Opportunities

Members Wanted to…  Claim your Frame: 

 

SlowPhoto with our CanCameras

Our CanCameras are now available in two sizes, the Pint can, show here in black, but also available in silver, and a new standard 12oz size can. The pint cans come loaded with 5″ x 7″ photo paper, and are designed to be deployed with the plastic cap down, while the 12oz cans are loaded with 4″ x 5″ photo paper. These will also work with 4×5 film and are suitable for making conventional pinhole photographs, with the aid of a darkroom or photo lab. The 12oz CanCameras currently come disguised as cans of Whalers, (RISE APA) beer.  Alternate styles may become available, including plain silver.  The 12oz CanCameras have a centered pinhole and can be deployed with the plastic cap facing up. 

If you are not able to pickup your camera in person, feel free to email us your mailing address. Shipping of our preloaded CanCameras is expected to run an additional $15, or more depending on your location..

 

 

Analog Saturdays: 
                       First Saturday of the Month

No Session July 4th – Join us in the gallery Saturday, August 1st 9:30am, 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, August 1st  
Coffee & Film: First Saturdays,  9:30am

 

Print Share & Peer Review:  July 8th
                       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, July 8th 6:30 – 8:30pm 

Join us in the gallery for our next  in person Print Share & Peer Review 

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

 

 

Join Us at 9:30am on the 4th Saturday of each month…

Open share & Photo Books

Bring a book, a problem to solve, or prints to share and join us…  new work, current projects, or older work you are looking to revisit… or just come to see what other members are working on.

Saturday, July 25th  9:30 am – 11:30 am

Programs are 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

 

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