Fanshawe Photography program launches new show

Header image for Interrobang article CREDIT: MELTING THE ICE BY YULIA STAROSTINA (BOTTOM)
Reflex will be shown for free at the ARTS Project March 29 to April 2, with opening reception taking place on March 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Fanshawe Photography program is about to get some exposure with its brand new year-end show, running March 29 to April 2 at the ARTS Project in Downtown London.

The show, called Reflex, will highlight the results of an image competition among second and third year students of the program. Judged by industry professionals, six of the best photos will be selected from six categories: portrait, commercial, nature, photojournalism/ editorial, digital manipulation and unclassified.

After the 36 images are hung, the winning image from each category will be voted upon by judges and faculty. Winners will be officially announced at the show's opening reception Wednesday, March 30.

The competition has been a traditional component of the program's curriculum, with an annual awards banquet taking place at the Oasis. However, students' winning photos have only ever been displayed for brief periods of time in the college. This is the first year that the results will be put onto display outside of the school.

“For many years our awards banquet was the only way people got to see our best student work,” said program co-ordinator Gilles Sweet-Boulay. “It was [full-time professor] Rachel Lincoln's idea to move away from this model to a week-long show.”

Although photography is also an aspect of Fanshawe's Fine Art program, the Photography program has focused on providing students with the necessary skills to succeed as professionals in the commercial world since its inception in 1972. Graduates of the program typically find success as entrepreneurs. Those who go on to another art program often credit Fanshawe for providing them with a solid foundation in knowing how to run their own studio.

According to Sweet-Boulay, Reflex will give the public a first-hand look into what the program fully entails.

“You'll see digital manipulation, and some amazing shots of what people are doing with Photoshop, taking simple images and turning them in something very powerful to look at,” he said. “There will be beautiful landscapes and portraits that are of a professional quality that people aren't used to seeing.”

Overall, Reflex is a notable milestone for the program and for Fanshawe as it expands its presence in the downtown core.

“It's a chance for people to get to know our students,” Sweet-Boualy noted. “It's such a boost to the student's esteem to know your work made it out to the gallery, and another example of us reminding the public out there that ‘Hey, we're here, and we're doing some amazing things'.”
Previous Article