Call Description

Hiding in Plain Sight: Unseen or Forgotten, People, Places & Things
A juried call for photography to explore current values through an exploration of the forgotten, abandoned and under represented. We are surrounded by our past accomplishments, and failures, show us what we have forgotten, or abandoned… from the everyday people, places and things, to the myths and the realities of the present. 

We are looking for entries to revisit and explore the Unseen or Forgotten. Show us the People, Places & Things hiding in plain sight that we need to remember or revalue. This call looks to explore our values, through photographs that address what most chose to forget or ignore...  

Help us remember, challenge the myths or realities of the present. In a sea of inconvenient truths, reminders of past glories are no more important than our past failures... what do you see, what do we need to remember...  to make a better future?

This gallery exhibition will explore how we view our world, and is open to all photo-based work regardless of process or technique. Entries will be judged individually.

Hiding in Plain Sight will open on June 18th to revisit the Unseen or Forgotten, People, Places and Things to explore their value and question current assumptions. We are accepting entries now through April 10th.

This Call for photography will be juried by Lou Jones, Boston based Photographer and driving force behind the PanAfrica Project. 

The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts, 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI

IMPORTANT TIMELINE DATES

Exhibition: Thursday, June 18th thru July 10th, 2026
Registration Deadline:  April 10th
Delivery of Accepted Work: On or before June 13th
Reception and Awards: June 18th, 2025 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Juror: Lou Jones

Lou Jones is a Boston-based photographer whose distinguished career spans more than five decades, evolving from high-profile commercial work to deeply personal, long-term documentary practice. Since 1973, he has operated a commercial studio in Boston, collaborating with Fortune 500 companies and international clients including Nike, Federal Express, and KLM, while also completing major assignments for National Geographic and Time/Life and covering 13 Olympic Games. His photography has taken him to 65 countries and 48 U.S. states and has been widely exhibited, including at the Smithsonian and the DeCordova Museum, and featured on the front page of The Boston Globe. His work is held in prominent public and private collections, including Harvard University, the Boston Athenaeum, the Fitchburg Art Museum, the Boston Public Library, and the University of Texas.

A highly influential figure in the photography community, he has served on the boards of leading arts organizations, co-founded Boston University’s Center for Digital Imaging Arts, and conceived several prestigious photography awards.

A respected educator and lecturer, Jones remains actively engaged in his ongoing panAFRICAproject, most recently traveling to Uganda in 2024.

The RI Center for Photographic Arts, RICPA 118 N. Main St. Providence, RI 02903
Located in the heart of Providence, RICPA was founded to inspire creative development and provide opportunities to engage with the community through exhibitions, education, publication and mutual support. 

RICPA exists to create a diverse and supportive community for individuals interested in learning or working in the Photographic Arts. We strive to provide an environment conducive to the free exchange of ideas in an open and cooperative space. Members should share a passion for creating, appreciating, or learning about all forms of photo-based media. We work to provide a platform for artistic expression, that fosters dialogue and drives innovation in the photographic arts.

The Gallery at the Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts is a member of Gallery Night Providence https://www.gallerynight.org/

Awards: 
First Place: $250
Second Place: $150
Third Place: $75

Eligibility: Artists of all levels who are at least 18 years or older are invited to enter.

Artwork: Open to all forms of photographic image-making in any process or technology, current or historical. Work must be your original creation. All work must be exhibition ready, no saw-tooth hangers please. Work that does not follow the guidelines, or is deemed not to be a faithful representation of the image submitted, will not be exhibited.

Entry Fee:  Artists may submit up to 15 photographs. The entry fee is $35 for the first three images and $10 for each subsequent image.  Current RICPA Members receive a 20% discount on the entry fee. The discount code is posted in the Call Listing on our website at https://www.riphotocenter.org. You must be login to our website for the code to be visible. All CAFE fees are non-refundable and must be paid by credit/debit card.  Payment of those fees indicates the acknowledgement of the terms and conditions of the exhibition.  Juror’s decisions are final. 

Want to become a RICPA Member? Membership brings many benefits and discounts, for more information and to find the membership level that fits you, visit our website at https://www.riphotocenter.org/membership-info/ You may become a member at entry, member benefits begin immediately and run 365 days from your start date.  

Size Limit: Maximum size 48” including the frame. Artists may have multiple pieces (diptych, triptych etc.) to make up one work.  

In-Person Delivery of Accepted Work: In-person deliveries will be accepted June 13th, noon till 5:30pm or by appointment. The RICPA Gallery is located on the 2nd Floor at 118 North Main Street Providence, RI 

Shipment of Accepted Work:  Shipped deliveries should be scheduled to arrive by June 13th. Shipped work must be accompanied by a prepaid, return label. Please make sure that you label your work on the back with your name or name on the shipping label if different. 

Print Service: Save on shipping fees and take advantage of our professional print service complete with frame rental for the duration of the exhibition. Email gallery@riphotocenter.org for more information, available for accepted entries starting at for $45 prints framed up to 16” x 20”

Return of Work: For artists who delivered their art in-person pickup will be on July 11th. Shipped art will be returned in the packaging in which it was sent using the provided prepaid return shipping label. The artist is solely responsible for any charges that may arise from inadequate packaging, or redirected shipments.

Sales & Commissions: The Rhode Island Center for Photographic Arts retains a 40% commission on works sold, 20% for Supporting & Exhibiting members.

Liability - Legal Agreement & Participant’s Waiver:  Submission of work automatically waives any claim for damage or loss against RI Center for Photographic Arts, including the officers, members, and employees. RICPA will exercise all reasonable care in handling entries, but will not assume any liability for loss or damage while in RICPA’s possession or in transit. Work should be independently insured by the artist.

Usage Rights: The artist retains all copyright to the images submitted. By submitting images you are giving RICPA the right to use the images for the purpose of marketing the exhibition and for reproduction online. Artists grant the use of their image(s) as stated without further contact or compensation from RICPA. Artist’s recognition is provided with any use. Submitting artists will be added to RICPA’s email subscriber list. They may opt out using a link on each email at any time. RICPA reserves the right to adjust any deadline(s) as the result of causes beyond its immediate control.  Payment of the submission fee indicates acknowledgement of all terms and conditions.

Questions: Contact gallery@riphotocenter.org  To learn about other RICPA exhibits and programs, visit https://www.riphotocenter.org/.

Application Requirements

Three or more photo based images to be juried individually.  Work must be your original creation.

Eligibility Criteria

Artists of all levels who are at least 18 years or older are invited to enter. Open to all forms of photographic image-making in any process or technology, current or historical. Work must be your original creation.