Open Juried Photography Annual Exhibition 2026

As a photographer and visual artist, I spend a great deal of time capturing and processing images, and over the years I’ve photographed a wide range of subjects. My own practice has shifted with time, but what has remained constant is an understanding of how challenging, time-consuming, and vulnerable it can be to make and share your work. Because of that, I felt a genuine connection to the images submitted to this exhibition and narrowing them down to a final selection was no easy task.

The privilege of looking closely at so many thoughtfully crafted works is not a small one. The photographs selected are those I found myself returning to again and again during the jurying process, images that stayed with me. They go beyond simply pointing and shooting; they are carefully composed, edited, and presented in ways that actively engage the viewer. These artists didn’t merely take photographs—they made them.

Again and again, I was drawn to photographs that invited me to slow down—to linger, to question, and to discover something just beneath the surface. Many transform ordinary moments into something compelling through their use of light, framing, and timing. They ask the viewer to look closer, then step back, revealing layers that unfold over time. These are the kinds of images that continue to reveal themselves long after the first glance—images we need in an age of constant visual bombardment.

Ultimately, this exhibition speaks to the power of attentive seeing. It demonstrates how photographs can raise awareness, spark laughter, foster empathy, and open space for dialogue—something we are deeply in need of right now. Thank you to South County Art Association for the honor of jurying this exhibition. 

-Carrie Usmar