Critical Mass Success Stories

I am not exaggerating or being dramatic by saying that Critical Mass changed my life, for it is very true that you can make the best images in the world but they mean nothing if all they see is the inside of a box. Critical Mass has been just that for me, that tipping point that has made so much more possible, like some video game I have found the gold key and may now advance to the next level!

Because of Critical Mass, JD Talesek found me, and told American Photo about me via Brian Clamp and since then I have had magazines from all over Europe and the US including Outside, Focus Magazine, and Men’s Journal publish my work. I even got a call from Time magazine. I have made many print sales through my galleries. I will be speaking at PCNW on Feb 1st and my big shindig at the National Academy of Sciences will be on March 2nd. Not too shabby, huh?

— Camille Seaman

As a result of seeing Cara Barer’s work during the recent Critical Mass competition judging, which I thought was not only unique, but spectacular, I have added her work to my stable of artists whom I now represent. Thank you!!

— Susan Spiritus, Susan Spiritus Gallery

I have purchased two prints by photographers in Critical Mass: Alejandro Chakielsberg from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Finn O’Hara, from Toronto, Canada.

— Joaquim Paiva

Now that I am having a hardcover monograph published by Photolucida, I feel as though I might have a little something to say when it comes to the success of Critical Mass. I believe there is a combined effect of having one’s work seen by the jurors of Critical Mass and also being seen in the flesh at Photolucida by many of the same people. Critical Mass is a wonderful introduction to all the curators, dealers, editors, publishers, etc. that any artist could ever want to meet. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that after having attended Photolucida and applying to Critical Mass, that my work was better understood for the competition.

— Joni Sternbach

I’m sure happy to be one of the Critical Mass Top 50! At Review Santa Fe, some people already knew my work from the juror’s CD and Ellen Boerner included me in a group show out of that CD. Thanks!

— Ferit Kuyas

I featured 41 artists from Critical Mass 2008 on Flak Photo — the feature has been viewed by more than 15,000 readers.

— Andy Adams, Flak Photo

As a result of seeing Frank Relle’s haunting images of nighttime New Orleans on Critical Mass, I proposed them for possible use on a book cover — and one was chosen! The book will be published by Random House in the Fall.

— Mary McClean, Vintage Books

We are currently talking to Rachel Herman in Chicago about a possible residency or exhibition. I’ve had her on our short list since reviewing her work for Critical Mass.

— Hannah Frieser, Light Work

Molly Landreth has a new exhibition here in Cedar Rapids as a result of my seeing her work in the Critical Mass process. Molly was just here for a week doing more shooting for her project.

— Terry Pitts, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

About 15 photographers from the Reviews and/or Critical Mass kindly donated prints to our Benefit Auction 2008 which meant that they had an image exhibited in the Silver Eye Main Gallery for a month, as well as printed in our catalogue and illustrated in our color website catalogue. Also, Beth Lehman is on our walls as I write this, having an exhibition in our New Works Gallery.

— Linda Benedict-Jones, Silver Eye Center for Photography

Directly in response to Critical Mass 2007, Arianna Rinaldo contacted me and licensed my photographs for a feature story in D Magazine, La Repubblica, Italy. Additionally, I met Mark Sink at Fotofest and he mentioned that he first saw my photographs on Critical Mass. Since then he has sold a number of my prints.

— Lucas Foglia

I’m in a show that opens in September at a commercial gallery in Toronto. One of the jurors from CM 2007 is the gallery director. She first left me a comment with CM and then contacted me directly.

— Vanina Feldsztein

I curated the exhibit “Resurrection — A New Look at Old Photographic Processes” at 23 Sandy Gallery in May, and invited photographers whose work I was familiar with from Critical Mass. Joni Sternbach, Alison Carey, Chip McDaniel, Jeannette Palsa, David Prifti, Rosanna Solonia, Ian van Coller, Matthew Yates, and Ryan Zohlin all had pieces in this gorgeous show!

— Laura Moya, Photolucida

Earlier this spring I got an idea for my holiday show to showcase affordable art. As I went to Reviews and juried Critical Mass, I started gathering my list of who I wanted to showcase. Take a look at the work and artists I have collected. I think you’ll find a lot of familiar names!

— Crista Dix, wallspace Gallery

I plan to use the work of Heather McClintock in an upcoming two person exhibition here at the Halsey Institute. I found her through Critical Mass, and I’m deeply appreciative.

— Mark Sloan

I finished my Critical Mass reviewing earlier this week (REALLY GOOD this year!), and I have already arranged to show the work of seven of those artists in Lens Culture.

— Jim Casper, Lens Culture

We have a show opening at the end of the month and I am showing two local photographers from CM08: Finn O’Hara and Leanne Eisen.

Last year I introduced collectors to the work of a Critical Mass photographer and they purchased 5 pieces. I will be doing more of the same in my capacity as consultant with a special interest in supporting emerging artists, presenting the work of several outstanding Critical Mass participants to clients here in Toronto.

— P. Elaine Sharpe, O’born Contemporary

Winning the Critical Mass award has been an important turning point in my career. Having my work seen and then reviewed by numerous curators and consequently having a book published has been crucial to the development of my career. Critical Mass in combination with Photolucida has opened opportunities for me that I could never have imagined.

— Louie Palu

One, the German publication PhotoNews published a portfolio of my “Domesticated” series in its May 2007 issue, after Anna Gripp saw my work as a juror. And less concrete, but perhaps more ultimately helpful, when I participated in Photo España this year, many of the reviewers I met with had already seen my work through Critical Mass. Curators such as Alison Nordstrom of the George Eastman House, Beate Cegielska from the Danish Galleri Image and Tim Wride of the No Strings Foundation were already fans of my work before I even met them!

— Amy Stein

I would definitely recommend participation in Critical Mass. I had a number of people mention they saw my work on the CD but on top of that I was asked to participate in a group show during Photolucida’s Portfolio Reviews. An LA gallery who saw the CD signed me up to do a solo show later in the year. The exposure was much more than I expected.

— Tom Chambers

I have worked with a few of the Critical Mass photographers before seeing their work as part of Critical Mass. I have since bookmarked a bunch of the artists while jurying, and hope an appropriate reason comes up to work with them as well.

— Paul Buckley, VP Executive Art Director, Penguin Books

I am doing a solo show for Karen Glaser after seeing her work as part of Critical Mass — it is opening this fall.

— Nelson Hancock, Nelson Hancock Gallery

My “Television Portraits” continue to receive a positive response. Currently, one of the images from the series has been accepted into the 13th Juried Exhibition by juror Brian Clamp of Clampart in NYC as part of an exhibition at the Griffin Museum of Photography.

— Susan Lakin

The Kresge Art Museum purchased one of Camille Seaman’s large prints for it’s collection. Two additional prints were purchased for personal collections. Also because of Critical Mass, I have been in touch with Donald Weber about his current Guggenheim project.

After finishing the Critical Mass review this year, my museum will start the acquisition process for one of Tom Alleman’s photographs.

— Howard Bossen, Kresge Art Museum

I saw Gloria Baker Feinstein’s work as part of Critical Mass and have scheduled an exhibition of Gloria’s work in March/April 2009. Gloria will exhibit international photography with an emphasis on water and people.

— Maya Jones, Curator, White Sturgeon Art Gallery

I reviewed Dorthe Alstrup and Lori Nix, whose work I saw through Critical Mass on The First Post website. They were very popular with our readers.

— Elaine Hake, Writer, The First Post

I would encourage photographers of all ages to participate in Critical Mass — it’s an amazing opportunity. Imagine how much time and money you’d have to spend schlepping your portfolio around or sending off CD’s to get 200 different curators, publishers, and gallery people to look at your work. Here, you send a few jpegs and you and the jurors are spared the awkwardness of the face-to-face response. Even if you’ve already had a book published, the rewards of having so many distinguished people in the field look at your work are incalculable. If there’s no immediate response, you may still get contacted about shows or other opportunities down the road — people do seem to make note of work they like for future use.

— Sage Sohier

As a Critical Mass reviewer, I saw the work of Eric Hansen and Tom Chambers, and we were able to offer them exhibitions at our gallery in LA.

— Sugar Brown, Director, George Billis Gallery, LA

I would certainly recommend participation in Critical Mass to any photographer if only because the exposure is so great. And I believe exposure is cumulative — the more it’s out there, the better your chances of connecting.

— Suzanne Opton

I was truly honored to be one of the book award winners in the Critical Mass contest. But even without an award, the contest itself (that allowed gallery owners, curators, publishers and editors from around the world to become familiar with my work) was invaluable. I come into contact all the time now with people in the business that say “Oh yes, I know your work. I was one of the reviewers for Critical Mass”.

— Julie Blackmon

There is no doubt Critical Mass helped me garner a show at the Sol Mednick Gallery for Photography in Philadelphia. I met Harris Fogel and when I showed him my work he immediately recognized it from the Critical Mass CD. Because he had already seen the work on the CD, it made it easier for me to connect with him when I met him in person. Definitely worth it!

— Dave Jordano

After viewing work for Critical Mass, I included one of the artists, Fiona Aboud, to be included in a show titled “Erotic Beauty”.

— Marita Holdaway, Director, Benham Gallery

Critical Mass was great. I was happy to have been selected as one of the finalists. One of the most valuable parts of the experience has been the CD of other photographer’s work. It has introduced me to a lot of work I would not have found otherwise, and reminded me of photographers I had not thought about in awhile. I like to think that works both ways.

— Todd Deutsch