Critical Mass
CRITICAL MASS 2022 TOP 50 HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED - CONGRATULATIONS!Critical Mass is an annual online program that makes connections within the photography community. Photographers at any level, from anywhere in the world, submit a portfolio of 10 images. Through a pre-screening process, the field is narrowed to a group of 200 finalists who go on to have their work viewed and voted on by over 200 esteemed international photography professionals (check out the "success stories" page for connections made through Critical Mass). From the Finalist group, the TOP 50 are named and a series of awards are given.
This year we are pleased to offer:
The Critical Mass TOP 50 Exhibition - this group exhibition will be held at the Photographic Center Northwest in Seattle, Spring of 2023. Arnika Dawkins (Arnika Dawkins Gallery, Atlanta) will be the curator for this exhibition.
The Center for Photographic Art Solo Show Award – a Finalist has been selected to have a solo exhibition at the Center for Photographic Art in Carmel, California. Congratulations to Landry Major, her work will be on exhibit October 7 - November 12, 2023.
The Blue Sky Solo Show Award - a Finalist has been selected to have a solo exhibition at Blue Sky Gallery in Portland, Oregon from April 6 - 29, 2023. Congratulations to Liliana Guzmán!
Michael Reichmann Project Development Grants - three Finalists have been awarded $1000 cash to go towards the development of a current or future project. Congratulations to Sam Geballe (Self-Untitled), Fazilat Soukhakian (Queer in Utah) and Arrayah Loynd (Come and FInd Me) - check our blog for more details!
Print Collecting Initiative Award – each of the 200 Finalists will receive a limited edition signed print by Marisol Mendez (check out our blog)! This award is generously sponsored by Pro Photo and Hahnemühle.
Ten Critical Mass 2022 Finalists have their work highlighted in a dedicated Issue (Issue 161) of FRACTION MAGAZINE - kudos to Christine Back, nykelle devivo, Brianna Dowd, Lauren Grabelle, Arielle Gray, Sergey Karpov, Walter Plotnick, Jason Reblando, Fazilat Soukhakian, and Man Zhu.
Merit-based Scholarships - selected photographers will have the entry fees to Critical Mass waived. Photolucida is pleased to be working with Lia J. Latty, founder of Black Is Magazine on a number of scholarships. Congrats to Schaun Champion, Nykelle Devivo, Arielle Gray, Torrance Hall, JaLeel Porcha, and Marzio Emilio Villa
Questions? criticalmass(at)photolucida.org
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Mila Teshaieva
Critical Mass Books
Over the years, Photolucida has offered book awards as part of our Critical Mass programming. Photolucida publishes and distributes these titles, and gives copies of the books to all participating photographers and jurors on the years the award is given.
ShopPast titles have been collaborative efforts with publishers such as Daylight Books and Kehrer Verlag. Check out our library of current publications as well as our backlist!
