It’s the summer of 1993. The phone rings and on the other end of the line is long time industry friend Arnold Drapkin, the former Picture Editor of TIME magazine. After a few formalities and catching up, Arnold says, “Jim, I’m thinking of starting a new photography workshop.” I pause…saying to myself, “Oh great…yet another workshop!” I respond with, “So Arnold, where are you thinking of having this workshop?” He replies, “In Florida.” I ask, “When?” He says, “In January.” Hmmmm…..Florida…in January…a smile creeps upon my face and I say, “What do you want me to do? Throw out the trash? I’m in!” FOTOfusion was born!
Few people in our industry command the allegiance that Arnold Drapkin does. And I am sure that after my phone call, there were dozens of others calls that went the same way. Photographers, editors, educators and curators…all willing to lend Arnold a hand….and maybe work on their tan at the same time!
This year marked the 19th annual FOTOfusion now being held in West Palm Beach, Florida as opposed to the original location of Delray Beach. But these gatherings would not be possible without the support and commitment of many others including the Palm Beach Photographic Centre’s President and CEO Fatima NeJame and her husband, Art NeJame who is the Centre’s Managing Director. It would also not be possible without the tireless effort of the Centre’s Board of Directors, advisors, presenters and the hundreds of volunteers who make FOTOfusion a “must-go-to” event every year.
Each year, there is a FOTOmentor chosen whose lifetime work is displayed in the gallery of the state of the art facility located in downtown West Palm Beach. The FOTOmentor also gets to choose a “Rising Star,” which promotes the future of the photographic industry. This year’s FOTOmentor was veteran photojournalist David Rubinger whose photographs have documented the more than sixty years of the state of Israel. His choice of “Rising Star” was Nadav Ariel who is currently studying at the Musrar Art School in Jerusalem.
Previous FOTOmentors have included James Nachtwey, Gordon Parks, Sabastiao Salgado and Elliot Erwitt to name a few. Last year’s recipient was Bill Eppridge who sadly passed away later that same year. So as we can see, the program has been blessed with the presence of masters in our craft.
The difference between FOTOfusion and other workshops is that participants and attendees have opportunities not only to view the master work by these giants, but to be able to sit in on their presentations, interact and even share a drink or two during the opening Fuze and Schmooze reception. Add to this, the ability to take hands-on classes with the best teachers and instructors in the business, go out on photo shoots with some of the best photographers in the world and also attend lectures, seminars and panel discussions with industry leading professionals. And if they wanted, have their portfolios reviewed by these same industry giants.
Presenters and reviewers at this year’s event included: Tony Bannon, Dan Burkholder, Jack Davis, Dennis Dimick, Douglas Dubler, Laurence Gartel, John Isaac, Lewis Kemper, Erika Larsen, Benjamin Lowy, Robert McNeely, Lucian Perkins, Robert Pledge, John Reuter, Joyce Tenneson, Vincent Versace, Alison Wright and many many more!
Next year will mark the 20th Anniversary of FOTOfusion and there has already been talk of grand exhibits, gallery displays, projections and festivities throughout the West Palm Beach area and will prove to be one of 2015’s must-go-to photographic events. It will mark my 20th consecutive year of attending. I don’t plan on missing it.
FESTIVAL
FOTOfusion 2014
January 14-18, 2014
415 Clematis St,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
USA
