Documentary Photography 2023 - A Juried Exhibition

This is the first open-call documentary photography exhibition for Hawai'i-based photographers at Downtown Art Center. The exhibition will be juried by PF Bentley, a prominent photojournalist and former TIME Magazine Special Correspondent.

Documentary photography describes any photos that attempt to record the world from the photographer's viewpoint. It is used to chronicle events, people, and places that are significant and relevant to history, as well as everyday life in the moment it is recorded. It can focus on an ongoing issue or story seen through a photograph or series of photographs.

Eligibility: Only professional and amateur photographers living in the State of Hawai'i are eligible. There is no time restriction for images and images may have been shown or previously published. Color or black & white photographs taken with film or digital cameras or high-quality mobile devices will be accepted.

Submission Categories: Single photograph ($15 per entry, limit 20 entries) or story/series of photographs ($25 per series, no more than 5 pieces total per series). Digital images must be no more than 5MB per image. Artist bio/CV (500 characters), artist statement (1,000 characters), and contact information are required.

Schedule: Submission period March 1-30, 2023. Jurying March 31-April 1, 2023. Results announced May 2, 2023. Exhibition runs June 2-July 1, 2023 at Downtown Art Center Main Exhibition Gallery, 1041 Nuuanu Ave., Second Floor, Honolulu HI 96817.

Prizes: Best of Show receives a portfolio review with PF Bentley and a one-page feature in Fall 2023 DACArts Magazine. Additional awards include complimentary prints from Hidden Light (maximum 16x20 inches), a ProCamera Award gift certificate ($50), and DACArts Magazine features.

Load-in: May 29, 2023 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for hand-delivery. Photographers not on Oahu should mail work by May 23, 2023. Framed works must be minimum 10 inches on longest side or finished sizes of 8x10, 11x14, or 16x20 inches. Paper, metal, and acrylic prints are acceptable. A $20 handling fee applies for shipped work, and artists must provide prepaid return shipping labels. If work is sold, Downtown Art Center receives a 25% consignment fee.