From a little bit punk to a whole lotta love

St. Boniface

Exchange District

Tuxedo

West End

Wolseley

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/04/2025 (549 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two key organizers of a local photography festival are sharply focused on increasing its reach and impact.

The month-long Flash Photographic Festival launched its 10th anniversary edition on April 1, and will run until April 30.

Flash’s mission is to promote professional and amateur photographic artists in Manitoba, to educate visitors and participants in photographic history and to share examples of photographic processes past and present, both film and digital. It also aims to promote the work of artists who identify as Indigenous, female, BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+.

The festival was founded a decade ago by photographer Leif Norman, who also serves as executive director, to promote photographic artists and engage with people through a concentration of shows across a whole month, while providing as few barriers as possible for the artists.

“We started by holding shows in hotel lobbies and cafés. It was a little bit punk, and people would sometimes find photos in unexpected places,” said Norman, who lives in the Exchange District.

“Lots of people have had their first-ever photographic show with us, as we’ve given them a venue and framework.”

Norman said the Flash festival has grown organically through the years, and this year’s version includes 55 venues across the province, all of which will be exhibiting photographs. The month will also include panel discussions, artist talks, workshops, film screenings, and photo walks.

For the first time, Flash is now a province-wide celebration; it includes 13 rural and northern galleries, 22 recognized art galleries in Winnipeg, as well as 20 other venues.

Within city limits, upcoming exhibitions include Divergence and Connection, curated by Leona Herzog and featuring several artists, at the Mennonite Heritage Centre Gallery (600 Shaftesbury Blvd.); Botanical Engagements by Brenda Stuart at 226 Main St.; Regards Croisés/Crossed Perspectives, featuring several artists, at La Maison des artistes visuels Francophones (101-219 Provencher Blvd.); and Junxions, curated by Justin Bear L’Arrivee and featuring work by Marco Muller and Zac Ironstand, at Marvin Francis Media Gallery, Urban Shaman Contemporary Indigenous Art (290 McDermott Ave.).

Norman said the festival is important, “because art is important.”

“If I could clone myself, I’d organize a watercolour festival, as well,” said Norman, who will be hosting a walk in the West End as part of the festivities.

“Photography is the most ubiquitous art form,” said festival co-ordinator Diana Thorneycroft, an internationally recognized Winnipeg visual artist. “Lots of people take photos who are not visual artists.”

Thorneycroft, who lives in Wolseley, said a number of people came on board to help Norman organize and execute the festival a few years ago, as he was doing everything by himself in the early years.

Visit www.flashfest.net for more information.