Photo fans have until Saturday, February 28 to see the juried collection of Contemporary Photography in Hawai‘i 2026, the 17th Annual Survey Exhibition.
The event’s sponsor, Pacific New Media (PNM), in partnership with Downtown Art Center, unveiled its selects earlier this month and since then, the public has had a front row view of the strength and diversity of local contemporary photography.
“We were pleased to find many themes that mirror both the sentiment of our times and the issues of the day: culture in its many forms, identity, the human condition, as well as images that explore the ocean, land, and environment,” said PNM co-director, David Ulrich.
The exhibition features 104 works by 75 artists, juried by Aline Smithson, an LA-based visual artist, educator, and Editor-In-Chief of Lenscratch. Her work has been featured in 40+ solo shows all over the world and publications like The New York Times and The New Yorker.
The collection consists of two parts: individual entries and entire portfolios. Seventy-five individual images and 14 portfolios were selected, fulfilling can’t-miss bodies of work, all in one place. PNM also sponsored a zine and small photo book sales table that featured 27 zines, journals, and notebooks created by local photographers.
“We found both praise of place and celebration of life’s many forms as well as critical commentary and the paradox of beauty amidst challenging conditions,” said Ulrich.
Don’t miss your chance to view the islands from a new lens. For art enthusiasts looking to take a masterpiece home, framed fine art photographs are available for purchase starting at $200, while zines start at $10.
The exhibition is on view through February 28, hosted by Downtown Art Center (2nd floor), Honolulu, Hawaiʻi at 1041 Nuʻuanu Ave. Admission is free. @downtownartcenter