This weekend the Dunedin Photographic Society celebrates 125 years.
In March 1890 a small group of enthusiastic photographers formed the Dunedin Photographic Society with the firm intention of encouraging amateur pictorial photography. Today, 125 years later, the group is larger and more diverse, but the intent of fostering enthusiastic amateur photographers continues.
The Society has a long history in the local, national and international photographic community. Aside from being arguably the longest continuously running photographic society in the Southern Hemisphere, it has contributed to the community through the organisation of many exhibitions; the Society organised its 1st Annual Exhibition in 1890, the first NZ Interclub Competition in 1920, and in 1925 the 1st International Salon of Photography. The success of the Society can also be gauged by the success of its members who have been awarded many national and international honours over the years.
Over the next couple of days the Society will celebrate with several events:
- Friday 27th: an official opening of the 125th Anniversary Exhibition
- Saturday 28th: a photowalk around the historic buildings in the city, including a tour of the old Dunedin Prison
- Saturday 28th: an informal dinner for members and friends of the Society.
- 28th March – 6th April: the 125th Anniversary Exhibition. Open to the public, 10-6pm at the Dunedin Community Gallery. <Eventfinda Link>
The 125th Anniversary Exhibition celebrates the photographers who have come before us and have left a fine legacy for current members and the wider community to enjoy. The Society holds a permanent collection from members in the Hocken Library, and this exhibition contains a selection of those prints for you to enjoy. We also celebrate the current members who continue in the light of the founders to foster and encourage amateur photography. This exhibition comprises small personal exhibitions from 21 current Dunedin Photographic Society members.
Dunedin Photographic Society 