CPW Upstate Photography Biennial

“Over the past decade, upstate New York has emerged as one of the most dynamic centers for contemporary photography in the United States. The inaugural Upstate Photography Biennial at CPW captures the energy, creativity, and cultural significance of this remarkable artistic community.” — Brian Wallis, Executive Director, CPW

This summer, CPW (Center for Photography at Woodstock) will debut the inaugural Upstate Photography Biennial, a major new exhibition celebrating the thriving photographic arts scene across upstate New York. Bringing together the work of 39 artists, the landmark exhibition offers a compelling snapshot of the region’s creative vitality and its growing influence on contemporary photography.

Curated by Marina Chao and Adam Giles Ryan, the expansive exhibition will open on May 30, 2026, at CPW’s Kingston headquarters and remain on view through September 6, 2026. Showcasing a diverse range of artistic voices, the Biennial highlights the richness of photographic practices emerging throughout the Hudson Valley and the broader upstate region.



Designed as an ongoing exhibition series, the Upstate Photography Biennial aims to foster dialogue, strengthen community connections, and explore the evolving role of photography in shaping cultural conversations across the region.

The exhibition features artists who use photography to investigate some of today’s most pressing themes, including identity, belonging, healthcare, environmental change, and the complex relationships between people and place. For many of the participating artists, “upstate” represents more than a geographic location—it embodies a space of transition, where urban and rural realities intersect, where personal histories meet collective memory, and where past and present continuously inform one another.

Many of the 39 featured artists embrace historic photographic techniques such as tintypes, cyanotypes, pinhole photography, collage, and carefully handcrafted prints. Their commitment to tactile image-making underscores photography’s enduring power as a physical object in an increasingly digital world. Rather than a nostalgic return to the past, these approaches often serve as thoughtful acts of resistance, challenging the fleeting nature of screen-based imagery and reaffirming the value of materiality, craftsmanship, and intentional looking.

Together, the works presented in the Biennial demonstrate how photography continues to shape our understanding of history, memory, perception, and truth at a time of profound social and technological change. The exhibition offers a powerful reflection on the ways images influence how we see ourselves, our communities, and the world around us.

The Upstate Photography Biennial also reflects CPW’s longstanding commitment to supporting artists and strengthening regional cultural networks. For nearly five decades, the organization has championed photographers through exhibitions, educational initiatives, artist residencies, and collaborative partnerships. This spirit of community engagement is evident in programs such as Woodstock AIR, the Community Gallery, and collaborations with organizations including the Dorsky Museum of Art, My Kingston Kids, Kingston High School, Place Corps, Upstate Films, and the Woodstock Film Festival.

Coinciding with Upstate Art Weekend from June 25–29, 2026, the Biennial will provide participating artists with exceptional visibility, attracting collectors, curators, photography enthusiasts, and visitors from across New York State and beyond.



About CPW
Founded in 1977 as the Center for Photography at Woodstock, CPW is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to supporting artists working in photography and related media while engaging audiences through exhibitions, education, and community-based programming.

At the core of CPW’s mission is a commitment to artist-centered, collaborative, and inclusive cultural initiatives. Through exhibitions, workshops, artist residencies, and access to its Digital Media Lab, CPW encourages critical conversations around photography’s role in contemporary society.

In 2022, CPW relocated from Woodstock to Kingston, New York. In January 2025, the organization opened its new 40,000-square-foot headquarters at 25 Dederick Street, transforming a former factory into a state-of-the-art photography museum, educational hub, and community center that continues to serve as a catalyst for artistic innovation and cultural exchange throughout the region.