photo access is turning 40, and you’re invited to the party!

Posted on 9 October, 2024

Here’s what you’ll need to do: Read up on the details, RSVP, spread the word, and put together your best 80s costume.

“Why?”you may ask? Because you need to get ready for a day (and night) to remember!

Believe it or not, photo access is the longest-running photographic organisation of its kind in the entirety of Australia, and has been delivering creative works in photography, film, and media arts for a whopping four decades. To celebrate this epic milestone, they’re treating locals to an afternoon-to-night event on Friday 25 October, where attendees will have the exclusive chance to explore the organisation’s rich history in fun, interactive ways.

Starting out in 1984 as a hobbyist camera club and evolving to a learning space and accessible facility for aspiring artists who saw photography as an art form, this not-for-profit organisation has always been community-led and inclusive of all.

“We’ve always been a very good training ground for young and emerging artists, and what makes us different from other photographic organisations are the activities that we do and the programs we run, which are not just focused on presentation,” says photo access Director, Alex Robinson.

“The exhibition program is only one aspect of what we do, and most of what we actually do is workshops, training, and skills development. I think that’s been one of the most significant impacts we’ve had.”

“We have scholarships with high school students and college students who are interested in photography, and they learn skills here and continue that on through their lives. We have one of the exhibiting artists who we have in the show at the moment, David Manley, who grew up in Canberra and used to do training courses at photo access nearly forty years ago!”

It’s important to note that this exciting event is not only dedicated to celebrating their 40^th anniversary, but also to celebrate the extensive community support they’ve received over its long history, and to showcase the impact the organisation has had on Canberra and Australia’s young artists in the past and present.

“When I talk about community, students then learn skills here, then they become tutors, and they become teachers, and then become exhibiting artists. And it really is that kind of circular economy of people that don’t just come in and then do a course and leave. We have that kind of return engagement,” says Alex.

So, in short, this event is to give back those who have contributed to the success of photo access over the years, and who have allowed the organisation to still stand today.

“It’s more a celebration of the community because we wouldn’t exist without their support”, says Alex.To run you through what the celebrations will look like, expect to see the evolution of photo access over the decades in mesmerising photographs and in AI-generated images on screen. Not only that, sip on some drinks at the bar and munch on some delicious tacos on the way in.

For those joining the afternoon festivities, take a moment to make your own cyanotype sun print, pull faces at the large format portrait set-up that will be hand-printed, and explore the magic of scratch film with experts in the field.

For those keen to arrive in the evening, you’ll witness the opening of the Dark Matter exhibition, which will showcase the works of four talented artists in residence at photo access, complete with artist talks and live demonstrations. When you have a frozen margarita in-hand, check-out the exclusive 80s-inspired T-shirt designs and feel no shame when you grab seven of them, for each day of the week!

Did we mention entry is free? So that means anyone, and we mean anyone, is invited to attend.

“All of our events are 100 per cent inclusive and a safe space, so anyone and everyone can come, and there’s no limitation on who can attend. We’ll have kids here and we’ll have people who aren’t interested in photography at all and live in the community”, says Alex.

And of course, this event would not be complete without a theme! To commemorate photo access’ establishment in 1984, dress to the nines in 80s-inspired garments and accessories.

Think: Shoulder pads, big hair, and bright colours, or go the dystopian route in reference to George Orwell’s 1984 novel – may as well go big or go home! And don’t worry, the staff at photo access will dress on-theme too, so watch out for some moustaches and mullets amongst the crowd!

If you haven’t already gathered, this is a day that is absolutely worth celebrating! Don’t forget to to register attendance through the link below, invite everyone you know, and bring yourself and your over-the-top 80s look to photo access’ extravaganza.