The other day I was on the Phillips Mill Photo website and noticed they had put up a short video talking about the organization and last year’s exhibition. I have previously written about my inclusion in the show. Interviews were conducted and there’s a short segment in which I say a few nice words. You might enjoy watching it at https://www.phillipsmillphoto.com/pmpe2020-exhibition.
I bring this up because it got me thinking about the importance of being a part of a photographic community – whatever that community may be. This has been especially important during the virus.
I joined Phillips Mill last year around the beginning of Covid. Everything went to hell for in person events but they kept at it and put together a wonderful online show. Phillips Mill is a great organization with a long and prestigious history here in Bucks County. They have been around since 1929 and I’m certainly glad to be a member and part of a long tradition. A couple of months later I joined the DaVinci Art Alliance in South Philly. DVAA’s mission is to “build community through art” with public exhibitions, programming, and interdisciplinary partnerships. It’s a non-profit art space that provides resources, exhibition space, and community for its artist members and the surrounding neighborhoods. Just a little younger then Phillips Mill, DVAA was established in 1931. I am really enjoying DaVinci and have already participated in several shows and virtual events during Covid. You can check DVAA out at DVAA-Da Vinci Art Alliance. Finally, I founded the Monalog Photographer’s Collective at the beginning of 2020. We started out with 6 members. We planned on a couple of great in person events, but you know the story. Nevertheless, with everything that has happened during the pandemic our collective has grown to fourteen members and I am very excited about the future of the group! Check us out at https://monalogcollective.com.
Why is this so important to me? Of course making photographs really matters, but to me the whole photography experience is much more than that. When I am out and about the experience of looking, discovering, and perhaps most important, interacting with those I come in contact with matters just as much. And I have found that being part of a community(s) can be equally important. Why? With DaVinci and Phillips Mill I am part of continuum of photographers that goes back nearly a century. With Monalog I am working with others to build something I think is special and will hopefully endure. But more than that … it’s because of the friendships made and the long-term relationships developed.
Friendships have always been an essential part of my life, so it was only natural that I would like to develop ones involving something I love so deeply. Friends that have the same passion I do, that want to share ideas, that care about each other and help one and other with no questions asked. What can be better than that? Besides family, not much! If Monalog were to fold tomorrow, it would have all been worth it, just for the friendships I’ve made.
So get involved in a photographic community … especially during these difficult times. There are many opportunities out there, like the ones I’m involved with or others from online forums to local camera clubs and artist groups, and coops. You can even start one like I did!
Take a chance. It will be worth it!
Stay safe,
Michael