REVIEW OF FOTOFEST MEETING PLACE: fotofest has lost its lustre and chaché it once had, in terms of being the top networking event for photographic artists.Heres why. It used to be that photographers even in NYC where i lived talked about it. You went, met great curators and came back with contacts for exhibitions abroad nationally and for books. A friend got into a big museum show, another sold work to a Museum and another published a solo book with Rizzoli. It was a way to get curatorial contacts for established artists who just needed to get to the next step in their career beyond group shows. Today this is no longer the case, Other portfolio reviews such as photolucida, santa fe and photonola etc are curated (fotofest is now not curated and anyone can pay and go) and have a better set up (for ex. if noone shows you can get extra reviews). Others are cheaper and have the same and sometimes better cohort of artists who attend with whom you can also network for contacts. The last time I went (2020) and 2018, there was a steep decline in enthusiasm, Some reviewers had a BAD attitude. Some only wanted to give a critique, yet most of us are over 40 and do not need one (many of us are established and are even professors and van get plenty of free critiques), we just want contacts for potential future exhibitions or just to be on peoples radar for the future. Some reviewers were slumped back in their chair and seemed to be there for the umpteenth time, there for the food or who knows what - not to see work. Others said they only look at work by people under 35 (but guess what there were not many of use there under 35!) . Others still came to hawk their museums group shows that we already know about. We do not pay over $2000 to just hear about a poxy juried show. All in all there seems to be a misunderstanding brewing, Someone is telling reviewers we need lessons and critiques, yet the attendees are not there for that. Many of us are more adept at critiquing than reviewers are because we are veteran professors and relatively successful artists with long exhibition histories. Yes it is hard to critique your own work, which is why I have close mentors who look at mine with me often, The fact that I have exhibited internationally for 25 years may mean I am in the right track, with grants to boot. I go there to meet curators from Germany and France or Japan, who I would ordinarily find it hard to meet. But it turns out it might be more productive to just travel to a European city and make contact with friends or acquaintances directly, than to pay over $2000 when you factor on hotel and flight to go to fotofest. To boot this organization did not even give people a refund for the cancelled meeting place in March, 2020- Shame on you. They were told they would get online reviews which apparently did not happen. This networking event need new leadership that understands that this is not a place to learn photography. It always was a networking event and it was curated - ie artists had to be chosen to go. Make it so again. Get new reviewers in from abroad who want to find fresh new artists from Museums and Galleries. I am tired of seeing the SAME reviewers at all of these portfolio reviews and it seems that they are all tired of looking at work with no open mind to exhibit or find new art.

A nice gallery, conveniently located and with plentiful parking. What you see will depend on what exhibitions they have, so check their website in advance, but I wasnt disappointed. Always a good thing to see how other people see the world.

Great gallery and organization. They definitely put Houston on the map.

Great involving proyects, a must to visit place if you are into arts

Always an awesome experience there

Came here for a free event. It was a fun experience!

Stellar programs.

Hit and miss

Awesome

Nice place