Holgas are a part of the culture here at SCS.  The idea of a simple plastic camera, with a plastic lens and light leaks fascinates, intrigues and inspires us.  As many of you know, we run Holga workshops.  But why? Of all the cameras we have access to, why Holgas? Well, I believe it’s for several reasons.  For one, the camera is very affordable, making it accessible to most people.  It’s very simple to use making it a camera that both amateur and even experienced professional photographers somewhat equal ground.

The all plastic design and light leaks, kind of takes the serious edge off the photography and makes way for a more intuitive approach to picture taking. This combination can do so much for art.  It brings people together and excites and inspires people to want to share art.

That’s why when I heard of the Holga Inspire Exhibit and what it was about it made a lot of sense to me.  I believe the unique qualities of Holga where also things that T.M. Lee was thinking about when he designed the camera in 1982.  So when he also came up with Holga Inspire which supports professional artists and photographers who shoot with Holgas.  They have an international traveling exhibit.  It consists of 10 photographers from all over the globe that all weave beautiful stories and images with their Holgas.  The show will be opening on September 2nd, 2010 at Gallery 27 at Brooks Institute.  Holga has brought a sect of this world together to share art, beauty and experience, with the whole world.  What an amazing feat to be able to go see the world through Holga.  And being at Gallery 27 is so exciting because its local and a photography school.  So for us to be able to see a part of this project is great.

The fact of the matter is that an idea as simple yet beautiful as the Holga can bring together people from all walks of life.  I look forward to being able to to travel around the world by looking at this gallery to see the Asia and the mean streets of New York, all through the spirit, love, and passion that is Holga.

The ten featured artists include: Michelle Bates, Susan Bowen, David Burnett, Tammy Cromer-Campbell, Taiju Fubuki, Teru Kuwayama, Pauline St. Denis, Annu Palukannuthu Matthew, Harvey Stein and Rebecca Tolk.

The Holga Inspire Exhibit will be on display at Gallery 27 at Brooks Institute’s Cota Street Campus. The show runs from September 2 to October 1, 2010. This event is part of Downtown Santa Barbara’s First Thursday Event. The opening reception will be on September 2, 2010, from 5pm-8pm.