Convent of the Sacred Heart students see Upper School photography teacher Ms. Kev Filmore through a new lens following the display of her photograph, “Mom Cooks,” at the PHOTOcentric2014 exhibit . Her photograph was among 50 out of over 1000 international submissions selected for display at the Garrison Art Center September 13 to September 28.
PHOTOcentric2014 is an international juried art show and an “exhibition of outstanding fine art photography,” according to garrisonartcenter.org. The photographs featured in the exhibit were shot with a broad range of cameras, styles, and materials.
Ms. Filmore’s featured photograph is from a mixed media series about her childhood. It is printed on a foil baking pan.
“These days there are a lot of exhibits and a lot of competitions that are online and I find that many of them are just trying to get you to spend money, but because I saw the work from two previous PHOTOcentric shows and read about the juror, I knew that it would be a good opportunity,” Ms. Filmore said.
The opening of the exhibit was vibrant, festive, and fun, according to Ms. Filmore. She also thought the event was a unique opportunity because the juror, Marvin Heiferman, is known as a very selective judge.
“To jury a photographic exhibition is both a risky proposition and an interesting opportunity. Instead of conceiving a presentation that sheds light on a particular artist, theme or idea, you have to embrace serendipity,” Mr. Heiferman said, according to the garrisonartcenter.org.
Ms. Filmore has submitted her work to this contest in the past, but this was the first time her work has been featured.
“It’s always an honor. It feels good, you work hard. I enter many competitions and often times you don’t get it in, so when you do it’s just a great opportunity,” Ms. Filmore said.
Through her years of experience, Ms. Filmore has learned a lot about the pros and cons of entering photography competitions. She shares some of this advice to her aspiring photography students.
“Be careful. Choose competitions that are genuine, not just moneymakers. Build a good portfolio and try to do it frequently enough that you have recent work being shown. It’s not an easy career, but if you are very passionate and you absolutely love working in the medium, then there is a lot of opportunity out there. Pictures are everywhere,” Ms. Filmore said.
– Jade Cohen, Staff Writer