Newsletter 03/26
Hello again
Last Thurday evening saw the launch of Ffotogallery's latest FFOCWS programme with a small introductory show of work by participants in the Ffotogallery Project Space in Cardiff (runs until 9 May).
The following evening had Jon Pountney launch his VALLEYS exhibition (with work from his crowdfunded but now sold-out photozine of the same name) in Newport's CLWB FFOTO gallery space (runs until 4 April).
Newport will also be bringing more photography to the city in the form of the long-running EYE International Photography Festival - read and listen to more on that below.
I'm currently very busy pulling together the next printed issue #015 of Offline Journal - the biggest to date! - and will be published in May. There are just five copies of the current 40-page 'COLLABORATE' issue #014 remaining - grab one at the reduced price of just £10 + P&P.
For a comprehensive overview of exhibitions and events ongoing and announced to date, check Offline's regularly updated full EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS listings page. If you are aware of other photography shows or events in or relating to Wales, feel free to send me some info via the contact page.
Brian
EYE FESTIVAL COMES TO NEWPORT
The EYE International Photography Festival, Wales' longest-running biannual photography event, will now be held in Newport starting May 2026.
Created in 2012 through a collaboration with photojournalist Glenn Edwards and Alan Hewson – then-Director of Aberystwyth Arts Centre, The EYE aims to continue bringing world-class professional photographers, workshops, and exhibitions over a weekend programme, to foster a hub for photography professionals, enthusiasts, and students alike.
Opening on the evening on Friday 15 May at CLWB FFOTO, the EYE Festival runs through the following two days of that weekend in venues around Newport, and supported by Newport City Council.
The four guests for the professional speakers day on Saturday 16 May are now confirmed as (below clockwise from top left): Siân Trenberth, Paul Stuart, Jaap Buitendijk, and Emily Garthwaite.
I spoke with Glenn Edwards, EYE Festival Director, briefly last night after receiving an advance Press Release on the event. Listen to our short conversation below where Glenn outlines a special opening exhibition and event at CLWB FFOTO and some background on each of the talented professional photographers who will be headlining the full day of guest talks on Saturday 16 May ...
Keep an eye on the EYE Festival Instagram feed and website for updates on ticket availability and programme developments.
The Eye International Photography Festival
Festival programme (so far) on website
Friday 15 - Sunday 17 May 2026
Riverfront Theatre & Arts Centre, and various venues around Newport
www.theeyefestival.com
@theeyefestival
CHAOTIC DISCUSSIONS
Slightly delayed by events, the live online discussion component of Offline Journal's first CHAOTIC group publication project will kick off 8pm next Sunday 15 March.
The CHAOTIC project is an Offline Journal collaboration with a first cohort of photographers Marc Arkless, Nate Davies, Mohamed Hassan, David Mayne, Bartosz Nowicki, Owen Pritchard, and Tamsin Stirling.
CHAOTIC #1 spreads by Tamsin Stirling (left) and Owen Pritchard (right)
This first session of four will welcome project participants Tamsin Stirling and Owen Pritchard who will each outline their featured project and update on current status, before taking questions and feedback from an online audience who have supported and explored the publication. Dates for the remaining online sessions over coming weeks will be shared here on www.offline.wales.
Audience invitations will be emailed in advance to Offline Journal Subscriber Plus supporters with an active subscription to the printed bundle of this first CHAOTIC #1 publication (sent to them last September) and the next Offline Journal issue #015 (coming their way in May). Invites for this first session will also go out to those who purchased a copy of CHAOTIC #1 from the Offline online store, and anyone ordering a copy before midday Saturday 14 March 2026.
We hope you can join us with some feedback and questions!
A4 full colour with 48-pages plus 28-page mono text inserts, CHAOTIC #1 has thread-sewn binding and forms one half of the CHAOTIC project; with live online discussion sessions with the seven photographers forming the concluding half.
New projects in-progress by
seven photographers, shared in print and then discussed with audiences online
A4, 48-pages plus 28-page mono text inserts
Buy CHAOTIC #1There are a small number of copies of CHAOTIC #1 remaining from the limited print run for a reduced price of £16.00 + P&P from now until midday Saturday 14 March 2026, before it reverts back to its £19.00 price. Sales go towards production costs of the next CHAOTIC issue, to be published in late 2026 with work by a new cohort of photographers.
Or get CHAOTIC #1 now and the upcoming Offline Journal #015 in May PLUS member access to the Offline Journal Newsletters and website content with a printed bundle Subscription (two bundles available).
Offline Journal catalog x 3 offer
Get these three special exhibition catalogs for just £16.00!
I have just five sets available for anyone who missed out on any of the following...
catalog 002: Great Little Tin Sheds of Wales by Pete Davis
catalog 005: Port Talbot UFO Investigation Club by Roo Lewis
catalog 006: Cwm Eigiau: The Wall Without Foundation by Aled Rhys Hughes
With three more catalog publications coming from Offline Journal in 2026, these would make a great start to your collection of these unique photography catalogs, produced to accompany smaller exhibitions of photographs around Wales, and save £12 + P&P if purchased individually! (Available as singles on the Offline Journal online store).
Use the button below to bag yourself a bargain at just £16 + £3 P&P.
First come, first served until the five sets of three catalogs disappear on the special offer button link below!
Spreads from the latest 32-page exhibition catalog 006 that accompanied the Cwm Eigiau exhibition (click to enlarge)
In advance of Aled Rhys Hughes' talk yesterday (Saturday 7 March), marking the closing of his exhibition in Machynlleth, he recorded a new audio clip as part of the ongoing Ffoton 'ONE IMAGE' series of stories behind photographs, describing one of his favourite images from the Cwm Eigiau project and now available on Ffoton's YouTube channel.
Exhibitions & Events
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