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Fotofest

w: fotofest.org

Description

FotoFest® created the first international Biennial of Photography and Photo-related Art in the United States. FotoFest ® is an international non-profit photographic arts and education organization based in Houston, Texas.

FotoFest's purpose is to promote the exchange of art and ideas through international programs and the presentation of photographic art. Our programs work globally and locally, bringing together an international vision of art and cross-cultural exchange with a commitment to community involvement and the enrichment of Houston's cultural resources.

In addition to its internationally known Biennial, FotoFest sponsors Inter-Biennial programs - exhibitions, international exchange programs, and publications. In grades 3-12, FotoFest operates a year-round classroom education program, Literacy Through Photography, using photography to strengthen writing skills, visual literacy, and cognitive learning.

History

FotoFest was founded in 1983 by documentary photographers and journalists, Frederick Baldwin and Wendy Watriss, and European gallery director, Petra Benteler. The first biennial, citywide Month of Photography was held in 1986 in Houston, Texas. Ten consecutive Biennials have been held every two years since that time.

In 1990, FotoFest created its year-round education program, Literacy Through Photography, in collaboration with photographer-educator, Wendy Ewald.

Also that year, FotoFest began a program of inter-Biennial traveling photography shows, international exchange programs, and publications. In 1999, FotoFest moved its office-gallery site to a restored downtown warehouse, Vine Street Studios, with permanent exhibition space.

The FotoFest Biennial and art programs are known as platforms for ideas and discovery, combining museum-quality art with important social and aesthetic issues. The Biennial exhibitions curated by FotoFest give priority to the works of important but little-known photographic artists from the U.S. and around the world.

In addition to exhibitions, the FotoFest Biennial features a large portfolio review program for photographic artists, a film and video series, conferences, multi-media installations, a Fine Print Auction, and four-color exhibition catalogue.

FotoFest's Sponsors include private foundations; corporations; local, national and international government agencies; and individual contributors. Earned revenues come from Biennial programs, education fees, and fundraising events.

Directions

From downtown
North on San Jacinto, past Buffalo Bayou. Turn left on Wood Street. Travel half block to Vine Street. Turn right. Proceed under freeway; building is across access road.

I-10 From Katy
Take the McKee/Hardy Street exit. Turn left on Hardy, go over the freeway. Turn left again traveling west on feeder road. Turn right at Vine Street-building faces access road and is just before Main Street.

I-10 From Beaumont
Take the San Jacinto/Main Street exit; from the access road, turn right at Vine Street-building faces access road and is just before Main Street.