March, 2026

No School, Foster-Glocester…

It’s an old Fashion winter in New England, the snow comes late and it comes in heavy doses. Currently in the gallery is a collection of some of my more experiment work, with an emphasis on reductive process and grafting vintage and digital tools into new image capture solutions. Also on display is a selection of work by Reed Pike. Join us at the closing reception on March 13th to learn more.

Next in the Gallery, our annual celebration of Women’s History Month brings back The Imogenes, for an opening on March 19th. Originally featured in the Focus Gallery in 2020, with Visual Conversations, a series of collaborative works.  We are happy to have them back to provide an update on their collaborative art-making and to highlight the individual efforts of the seven women collectively know as The Imogenes.. 

Our custom made Pinhole CanCameras are available in the gallery and purchase includes entry into our SlowPhoto Initiative, as part of  our yearlong exploration of pinhole photography.  I am happy to report, that the third round of shipments for our Studio Pinhole Project have gone out, for this invitational project to celebrate International Pinhole Photography day coming up in April.  As part of our initiative to explore slower forms of image capture, it is only fitting that this project is already running behind schedule. 

Currently in the gallery is this year’s Director’s Choice Exhibition presenting a selection of work presented as an update on our activities behind the scenes, and an opportunity to explore photographs as physical objects. Join us at the closing reception to learn more about the series of short sessions and workshops being scheduled to cover; calibration, color space, and file prep for printing.  Regardless of if you print yourself, or use a print provider, learn to better prep your files to craft  prints that reflect your unique vision.  

We are halfway through finding Members to Claim their Frame, as we run a single roll of film through our Pentax Spotmatic 35mm camera. The Camera will be passed from member to member until all 36 exposures have been made. The 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.

One Camera, One Lens and Zero Megapixels… In this program you will start by Build your very own plastic fantastic camera and join us for this year long collaboration.  A Konstruktor Camera, waiting for you to assemble it, is included with registration.  All participants will be working with this camera, to challenge their assumptions and create a unique body of work as we explore the limits and possibilities.  One Camera, One Lens,12 Members interested in building a Konstruktor and exploring new creative options as we reimagine your potential.   Be a Konstruktor, Build a Konstruktor… details below or visit our website

 

In person gallery events:

Analog Saturdays:  join us on March 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, join us on Wednesday March 11th, at 6:30pm or join us for the new Saturday morning version of this program on April 25th.

Currently in the Gallery: The Director’s Choice Exhibition – Closing Reception March 13th, 5:00 -7:00pm
Join Us for this exploration of photographic prints and work in progress from Reed Pike & David DeMelim

Opening Reception: Behind the Lens 2026: The Imogenes  – March 19th at 5:00-8:00pm
Join Us for our annual Women’s History Month celebration of women behind the lens. This presentation expands on our 2020 Behind the Lens exhibition.

4th Saturdays: March 28th, 9:30 -11:30  –  Our second program exploring photo books, artist books and more…
Join us, 9:30am  for this 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…

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

 

7th Annual Juried Member Exhibition: Eric Kunsman, Juror

Entry is free for Exhibiting & Supporting Members, $25 for up to 5 images for Members at all other levels 

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.

This exhibition has no theme other than to present the work of our members in a gallery exhibition. Entry is open to all forms of photography and subject matter new or old. This is a chance to explore or revisit work that may not fit an ongoing project or be part of your regular practice… a chance to preview new work, or a chance to share old favorites.

Deadline: March 8th    Entry has closed – Results will be posted shortly.

Opening reception: Thursday, April 16th, 5:00 – 8:00pm
Exhibition: Thursday, April 16th thru Friday, May 15th, 2026
Closing Reception: May 15th, 5:00 – 7:00pm 

 

Workshops & Mentorship

Be a Konstruktor, Build a Konstruktor… 

Build your very own plastic fantastic camera and join us for this year long mentorship program.  The Konstruktor Camera kit, pictured, is included with your registration.  All participants will be working with this camera, to challenge their assumptions and create a unique body of work as we explore the limits and possibilities.  One Camera, One Lens, looking for up to 12 Members interested in building a Konstruktor and exploring new creative options as we reimagine your potential.

The program will piggyback on Analog Saturdays, meeting at 8:30am on First Saturdays starting in April. These in person meetings will be supplemented with Zoom sessions every other month on the third Wednesday of the month from 7:00 – 9:00pm, starting on April 15th.
In addition to the group sessions each participant will have three, one on one review sessions to refine, define and prepare a body of work for exhibition.
The project will include  a series of in gallery features, an online gallery to share work and ultimately a book of our journey together and the collected work developed. 

There are only 6 seats remaining for this year long collaborative experience.
Don’t miss your chance to be a Konstruktor

 

New Member Opportunities for 2026

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..

 

The Director’s Choice 2026: Mastering the Print

This year’s Director’s Choice exhibition presents a selection of work connected, not by a subject or theme, but by our drive to stay current, to be actively engaged, and to stay passionate…  This exhibition is presented as an update on our activities behind the scenes, and an opportunity to explore photographs as physical objects. The cohesive thread running through this exhibition is our refusal to accept the default digital capture, instead exploring alternate capture options, and investing the time to craft a print that reflects our unique visions.  

Exhibition: Thursday, February 19th thru Friday, March 13th, 2026
Closing Reception: February 13th, 5:00 – 7:00pm 

 

 

Behind the Lens 2026: The Imogenes

The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is celebrating Women’s History Month. For 2026, we have invited the Imogenes back to provide an update on their collaborative art-making and to highlight individual photographic work. Originally featured in the Focus Gallery in 2020, as part of our annual Behind the Lens series, this collective of seven women presented Visual Conversations. What began as a visual exercise based on the old Telephone game became a series of truly collaborative works. Unfortunately, the public did not see The Visual Conversation Project in 2020 due to COVID-19. We are happy to present The Imogenes for this follow-up exhibition, both as a look back and to see where they are in 2026.   

The Imogenes –  Karla Bernstein, Diane Collins, Estelle Disch, Deb Ehrens, Paula Laverty, Lisa Redburn, and Jean Schnell began working together during their retirement years.  They named their group after Imogene Cunningham, who made art well into her nineties.

Exhibition: Thursday, March 19th thru Friday, April 10th, 2026
Opening Reception: March 19th, 5:00 – 8:00pm 

 

 

 

Analog Saturdays: 
                       First Saturday of the Month

Join us in the gallery Saturday, March 7th 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, March 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, March 11th  6:30 pm – 8:30 pm            

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