Together and Apart - We Shine!

As we reflect upon another unprecedented Pandemic year, we thank you for your continued engagement with SF Camerawork. Your support both in program attendance and financially, has energized the artists and the broader communities we serve by enabling us to provide a wide range of presentation and learning opportunities as well as exhibition opportunities throughout the year. 

Almost two years into this world-changing event, we continue to stay true to our mission to encourage discovery, experimentation, and exchange by bringing people together to look at inspiring photographic work by diverse artists, hear about and discuss thought-provoking ideas, and be the catalyst for new and innovative work in photography. Some of the program highlights this year were the studio visit with Jamil Hellu, the artist talk with Rodney Ewing, the 2021 Benefit Auction program honoring educator and photographer Chris Johnson, the opening of our first in-person exhibit in two years — FORECAST2021 — and so many more! The program honoring Chris Johnson was so heartwarming— many friends of Chris and SFC joined us in an historic tribute to this amazing artist and educator. We also continue to treasure our monthly member’s portfolio reviews with you and our guest critics— looking at and thinking about photography is always the best part of our day!  

In these difficult times, the voice of photographic artists is more important than ever. They help us navigate our new shared experiences of isolation and even fear by presenting their insights, experiences, and perspectives, allowing us to find threads of hope and a connection to others in our shared world experiences. Your support has helped to sustain and encourage photographic artists at a time when their vision and perspectives are so important. In 2021, SF Camerawork produced 39 virtual programs that featured 111 artists and thinkers and drew more than 1400 viewers. All of these programs were offered free - and most are now accessible online. For their work, we delivered over $72,000 in payments to artists, scholars, and thinkers. 

In September, we held our Annual Benefit Auction,The Roof is on Fire— this year themed to bring forward powerful social justice and environmental messages. We also continued our deep commitment to inclusivity with 54% BIPOC artists represented in the auction through works using a wide range of approaches and mediums. The artists featured in the auction— a curated group that helped to broaden our minds and learn about critical  social and environmental concerns— were supported in their important work with auction sales commissions of up to 50% of the final bid. To that end, we delivered $57,000 back to participating artists, underscoring our commitment to supporting our photographic artists in a multitude of ways.

On December 4, we returned to in-person program offerings with a pop-up version of our annual juried show, FORECAST 2021, as well as offering an expanded online version available for viewing on our website that features the work of 6 thought-provoking photographers. We hope you will join us for monthly talks and panel discussions that have been scheduled with the artists, which delve deeper into aspects of each artist’s subjects of investigation. To end 2021 in community, with an in-person opening of this work brought joy to our hearts and it was wonderful to see SF Camerawork friends again— we missed you!

This year we continue to reaffirm our commitment to, and accountability for community-mindedness and inclusivity, by being intentional about the diversity of our programming. In 2021 SF Camerawork included a range of BIPOC artists and perspectives and welcomed new audiences. 53% of all SFC presentation artists and presenters identified as BIPOC, and all of the artists in the current FORECAST exhibit are artists of color. We have been encouraged by your support and look forward to sharing our continued progress with you as 2022 unfolds. 

Fundraising for the arts continues to be a challenge due to shifting giving priorities and funding challenges caused by the Pandemic. That’s why we need YOU more than ever! Your support makes possible the sharing of unique voices and diverse perspectives that allow us to have a fuller picture of trends in contemporary photography, but also a broader socio-political perspective of current world concerns. 

If you haven’t already given, and are able to, please consider a generous year end donation to SF Camerawork before January 1. Your financial contribution will help us continue our good work, grow our communities, and share artists' visions as we look forward to a brighter 2022 for everyone. 

Help us to reach our $40,000 goal!

With gratitude for all that you are to us,

Olivia Lahs-Gonzales, Executive Director
SF Camerawork

Michelle Branch, Board President
SF Camerawork