U.S. Embassy brings contemporary U.S. photography to Georgia (June 12)

Kolga Tbilisi Photo 2012 Exhibition. Photo: State Dept

Through Arts Envoy, the Embassy sponsored "Kolga Tbilisi Photo 2012”, a major contemporary photography event in Georgia. Four leading U.S. photographers conducted workshops, lectures, and portfolio reviews. Additionally, Kolga Photo featured the second largest U.S. contemporary photo exhibit outside of the U.S., with over 40 American photographers represented.
 
The U.S. experts' workshops focused on visual storytelling and were attended by Georgian students of photojournalism faculties, students interested in photography that already have some background, and professional photographers. Along with students and photographers, persons interested in photography also attended general presentations and discussions. For portfolio reviews, interested candidates sent their application forms and samples of their work, and the jury of Kolga Tbilisi Photo identified the best ones. The exhibition provided an important statement for photography as a means of communication between cultures, and highlighted the importance of Tbilisi, Georgia as a meeting place for international photography.