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2026 SPE Annual Conference: Catalyst for Exchange

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Southwest Chapter

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SPE Southwest Chapter includes:
Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah

Chair Ariel Wilson
Vice Chair/Secretary Julia Martin
Treasurer Daniel George
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Message from the Chair

The Southwest and West Chapters are currently accepting calls for both presentation proposals and artwork to exhibit during their joint conference on October 18th and 19th at Weber State University in Ogden, UT.

Submit Presentation Proposals here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSej5O2B64uO5L3nuVAMncduT2ADFpuOgCfyPIXZkOhzcQPwaw/viewform

Submit to Call for Artwork here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejqC1xpFO0rc2OltY-VgYVWkiL97Sm98NkqRPgHEEQZyVYWg/viewform

Submissions will be considered through 7/30.

Southwest Chapter: Updates

Join us to hear photo students and recent alumni present about their work, how they are exploring certain themes, and more about their practice. Each event will feature 3-5 invited presenters. We are looking for more schools and individuals in the West and Southwest regions who would like to participate.

More details: https://linktr.ee/SPEWSW

Sept. 8th, Sacramento State recent alumni will present work with the theme of nostalgia. Elisa Fernandez, Will Kraintz, Frances Kenney, Megan Sinclair, Molly Berg, Ricardo Cazares, moderated by Andrew Dumitru.

Oct. 3rd, California Baptist University students: Raymond Alva, Alicia Berardelli, Ashley Chruszcz, and David Fouts will present.

Nov. 3rd, Brigham Young University

Dec. 1st, Utah State

Member Galleries

Kaitlyn Jo Smith

Jamey Stillings

Julia Martin

Leslee Broersma

Jared Ragland

Benjamin Timpson

Ariel Wilson

Daniel George

Rennan Kooistra

Todd Dobbs

Martina Shenal

Roddy MacInnes

News

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October 01, 2024

Claire A. Warden
Claire A. Warden receives MoCP's Snider Prize

January 31, 2023

Claire A. Warden
Of the Body at Northlight Gallery ASU

The 2025 MWSPE Conference, Shifting Gears, invites photographers, educators, lens-based artists, and scholars to gather in Detroit—long celebrated as the Motor City—for a critical examination of transformation within photographic practice. Drawing on the city's rich history of innovation, industry, and reinvention, this conference examines how photographers are navigating change across technological, pedagogical, and cultural terrains. Through presentations, workshops, and exhibitions, Shifting Gears provides a platform to engage with the evolving methodologies and conceptual frameworks shaping the future of photographic education and image-making.

Shifting Gears is hosted by the College for Creative Studies, Cranbrook Academy of Art, and Wayne State University. It is organized by faculty across Michigan and northern Ohio.

Conference goers will be given a complimentary pass to the Detroit Institute of Art.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

Now accepting Conference Proposals!

The organizers of the SPE Midwest Chapter Conference in Detroit invite all image makers (advanced and student), educators, historians, and others, to submit proposals for presenting at the upcoming conference.

Proposal categories include:

Image-maker Lecture: a 30-40-minute presentation by the artist about their own work.
Snapshot Talk: a 15-20-minute presentation by the artist about a new or recent project.
Student Presentation: a 15-minute presentation on the artist's work, with a brief introduction to their education program. Open to students 16+.
Panel Discussions: a 40-50 min presentation with up to 3 panelists, including a moderator.
Pedagogical Presentation: a 30-40-minute session on educational techniques and strategies.
Hands-on workshops: an interactive workshop where participants can learn a new technique (digital, lighting, alt-process). Please include a time frame and budget with your proposal.
Lecture: a 40-minute presentation on a historical topic, theoretical concern, or another artist's work.

Deadline for Proposals is August 1, 2025

about 22 hours ago via Instagram

about 22 hours ago via Facebook

The 2025 MWSPE Conference, Shifting Gears, invites photographers, educators, lens-based artists, and scholars to gather in Detroit—long celebrated as the Motor City—for a critical examination of transformation within photographic practice. Drawing on the city's rich history of innovation, industry, and reinvention, this conference examines how photographers are navigating change across technological, pedagogical, and cultural terrains. Through presentations, workshops, and exhibitions, Shifting Gears provides a platform to engage with the evolving methodologies and conceptual frameworks shaping the future of photographic education and image-making. Shifting Gears is hosted by the College for Creative Studies, Cranbrook Academy of Art, and Wayne State University. It is organized by faculty across Michigan and northern Ohio. Conference goers will be given a complimentary pass to the Detroit Institute of Art. CALL FOR PROPOSALS Now accepting Conference Proposals! The organizers of the SPE Midwest Chapter Conference in Detroit invite all image makers (advanced and student), educators, historians, and others, to submit proposals for presenting at the upcoming conference. Proposal categories include: Image-maker Lecture: a 30-40-minute presentation by the artist about their own work. Snapshot Talk: a 15-20-minute presentation by the artist about a new or recent project. Student Presentation: a 15-minute presentation on the artist's work, with a brief introduction to their education program. Open to students 16+. Panel Discussions: a 40-50 min presentation with up to 3 panelists, including a moderator. Pedagogical Presentation: a 30-40-minute session on educational techniques and strategies. Hands-on workshops: an interactive workshop where participants can learn a new technique (digital, lighting, alt-process). Please include a time frame and budget with your proposal. Lecture: a 40-minute presentation on a historical topic, theoretical concern, or another artist's work. Deadline for Proposals is August 1, 2025