ABOUT FIRST LOOK 2025

Every photograph tells a story. When part of a body of work, the photograph takes on new meaning, becoming part of a bigger and more complete narrative. A portfolio allows the photographer to explore the complexities of their subject, and provide context that gives it richness and meaning that is more than the sum of its parts. Panopticon Gallery is pleased to announce a call for art for “First Look 2025,” our annual juried portfolio showcase, where several portfolios will be selected for the exhibition on view from February through April 2025. 

First Look has become a distinguished tradition at Panopticon Gallery, providing a platform for emerging and established photographers alike to connect with a global audience. Over the years, First Look has become our annual opportunity to meet and connect with hundreds of talented artists, many of whom have gone on to participate in future group or solo exhibitions at Panopticon Gallery. We can't wait to see what remarkable stories this year will bring!

Submissions are open now until December 27th 2024. We recommend submitting your work as early as possible, as we share submissions we receive as we continue to advertise the open call online!

New this year: The Wall at Panopticon Gallery

Along with this exhibition, we are excited to announce the upcoming addition of a secondary gallery space at Panopticon, called The Wall at Panopticon Gallery. The Wall, which will be located just outside of our main viewing area, will feature a regularly rotating display of smaller scale and unframed work. Our goal with The Wall is to create a more accessible, affordable, and fun gallery experience for the photography community through group and solo shows that change on a monthly basis. Once each show on The Wall comes to a close, prints will be relocated to the gallery’s flat files, where they can be viewed or purchased by Panopticon Gallery patrons.

For past First Look shows, we have run an online companion show in tandem to our main galley exhibition, called A Second Glance. This has allowed us to share First Look submissions that did not make the final exhibition, but that we really connected to and felt deserved to be seen. For 2025, The Wall’s inaugural exhibition will be First Look: A Second Glance. All First Look 2025 submissions will be automatically considered for A Second Glance. This means that your submission provides you with two opportunities to share your work at Panopticon Gallery.

Submission Instructions:

-Submit now through December 27th 2024 11:59pm EST

-Submit up to 10 images from a body of work, an artist statement, and a link to your website (if applicable) to submission@panopticongallery.com with "First Look 2025" in the subject line.

-Images should be in JPEG format, sRBG color space, no less than 1024 pixels on the long side and no more than 1500 pixels. Please name your files LastName_FirstName_Title.jp (example: Sneyd_Paul_Untitled.jpg). If your files are not named correctly, you run the risk of not having your work viewed. We don’t want this to happen, so please make sure everything is right!

-Please send submission fee via Paypal to mail@panopticonimaging.com or use the link here. Include your paypal transaction ID in your submission email for verification. We must receive a submission fee in order to review your work.

-Please include how you heard about this call for art

Submission Fee: $40 per portfolio

Student Submission Fee: $30 per portfolio (please include a valid student ID)

Any questions? Please read our First Look FAQ page.

Calendar:

First Look: February — April 2025

December 27: Submission deadline
January 29: Artwork must arrive at gallery
February 13: Show opens/Opening Reception
April 28 : Show closes

Exhibition Information:

Approximately 5 pieces from each selected artist will be selected for the exhibition. Curators will work with selected artists to determine the ideal dimensions of each piece to best fit the space. Due to the gallery space, most pieces should be framed to approximately 20 x 24

Printing/Framing: Accepted work can be sent to Panopticon Imaging, who will work with artists to handle all printing and framing needs, as well as free delivery to the Panopticon Gallery. Selected artists will receive a 20% discount when printing and framing at Panopticon Imaging. More information is available here

Sales: Panopticon Gallery retains a 50% commission on works sold.

Copyright: Artists retain all copyrights to their own images. Artists whose work is chosen for exhibition grant Panopticon Gallery permission to use images for promoting the exhibition, artist, or Panopticon Gallery’s programs. Images may be published on social media for promotion and features. Artists grant usage as stated without further compensation.

Please read our First Look FAQ page for further information

SELECT PRESS FOR PREVIOUS FIRST LOOK EXHIBITIONS