2023 Festival
The 2nd edition of Photo | Frome runs from 24 June to 12 July 2023
Photo | Frome will again bring an inclusive and thought-provoking perspective on photography to Frome & the Southwest. The festival approaches contemporary documentary with a broad lens, and the artist line-up will reflect that vision, featuring world-class national and international names, photography to explore the history of the Southwest region, and showcasing the talents of local, student and amateur photographers. Our concept is loosely based on the long-standing Les Rencontres d’Arles, aiming to fill the Frome community with curated photography rather than a purely galleried approach.
Spread across 15 venues, including outdoors, and compared with 7 in 2022, internationally and nationally recognised photographers are confirmed, with details of exhibitions here, all free. Photo|Frome’s 2023 programme also adds a 2 day symposium, workshops, outdoor exhibitions, an open book call and student photography awards. Don’t miss the free pop-up portrait studio, Faces of Frome, in partnership with The Frome Independent market. And check out the Monograph series. In all, Photo|Frome will be showing the work of over 150 photographers (including group shows) who are exhibiting around 500 images.
The 2023 theme is ‘Decolonising Environments.‘
Our theme explores the complex and often conflicting relationships between human communities, places, and the natural world. Encompassing a range of styles, subjects and genres, Photo|Frome invites photographers and audiences to contribute to discussions around the social and environmental impacts of longstanding political, cultural, and economic ideas about our world.
‘Decolonising’ is usually defined as a process of self-determination and unlearning of the social and cultural constructs created by an established and maintained system of dominion of one group over another. ‘Decolonising Environments’ expands this concept, to encourage a wider examination of social, environmental, and cultural issues through the subjectivity of the photographer’s individual gaze.
There is a national and international backdrop of communities big and small impacting one another with both positive and negative effects whether resource exploitation or societal change. And we have all witnessed the shifting of seasons, changing weather patterns, reduced insect and bird life and the effects of urbanisation. Photo|Frome 2023 will thus showcase photography that exposes visitors to both global and local issues, with a wide variety of personal responses to contemporary themes.
Aiming to create an even better festival the organisers are seeking increased public, commercial and private sponsorship. We also are seeking volunteers to support this year’s events.
Here are all the key dates for your diary.
Calendar of Key Events
24 June
Festival Opening Weekend
The festival officially opens with MPB @ Rook Lane, the opening of the Black Swan Arts exhibition spaces and many others. The winners of the Student Awards will be announced. Check the detailed programme.
1-2 July
Two Day Symposium
A symposium on the festival’s theme, featuring talks from national and international photographers, panel discussions and audience participation. The winners of the Open Book Call will be announced. Please note this event will be ticketed.
2 July
Faces of Frome @ The Frome Independent
Be part of an ongoing project documenting the diversity of the people of Frome. A free pop-up studio in partnership with The Frome Independent market. And visit the Frome Heritage Museum to see the 2022 photographs.
7 July
Start of the 2023 Frome Festival
Running alongside Photo|Frome you can enjoy the Frome Festival; a festival of music and culture held annually since 2000.
8-9 July
Workshops
Experience a full programme of workshops covering non-camera photography, technique, and creativity. Please note some events are ticketed through the Frome Festival.
8 -9 July
Portfolio Reviews
Photographers of all abilities can sign up for a portfolio review where professionals will offer feedback and pointers. Bookings available now.
12 July
MPB @ Rook Lane last day
See it before it’s gone, this is the final day to catch the exhibition at Rook Lane Chapel.
16 July
Black Swan Arts, Whittox last day
Check the detailed programme as some venues will still be open until this weekend,