The Portrait 2006-2007 | Jurors | Women In Photography International

Susan Spiritus, Gallery Owner / Newport Beach, CA
Susan Spiritus Gallery

Celebrating thirty years in the business of selling fine art photography, the Susan Spiritus Gallery is one of the earliest fine art galleries dedicated to photography in Southern California. Located in Newport Beach, the gallery specializes in fine art contemporary photographs for your home and office.

Since 1975 Susan Spiritus Gallery has featured one person exhibitions, thematic group shows, educational programs and symposiums. In addition, the gallery has consulted with numerous private and corporate clients to enhance or establish their collections of fine art photography.

For the past 30 years Susan Spiritus has been a leader in the field of fine art photography representing some of the most well known and highly respected photographers, including Ansel Adams, Andre Kertesz, George Tice and Yousuf Karsh.
Susan Spiritus Interview in September 2006 issue of B/W magazine

Julian Cox, Curator of Photography / High Museum of Art / Atlanta, GA
High Museum of Art / Atlanta

Julian Cox joined the High as the new Curator of Photography in June 2005. Cox came from the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles where he served as associate curator in the department of photographs. Curator of "Spirit into Matter: The Photographs of Edmund Teske," Getty Center, 2004 was accompanied by a 180-page catalogue by Julian Cox. He is a co-author of the critically acclaimed publication "Julia Margaret Cameron: The Complete Photographs" (2003), the first catalogue raisonne of her work. He has also worked at the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television in Bradford, England, and the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth. He received a Master of Philosophy degree in the history of photography from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, in 1990, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in art history from the University of Manchester, England, in 1987.

High Museum Current Exhibition, Intersections: Atlanta Collects Photography
Through January 7, 2007 Lower Level, Wieland Pavilion

Sasha Erwitt, Senior Associate Photo Editor, Vanity Fair / Conde Nast Publication / NY
Vanity Fair

Sasha Erwitt has also worked as a photo editor at YM magazine and as Associate Photo Editor at Self magazine. A graduate of Vassar College, Since childhood, Sasha has always been surrounded by the wonderful world of images through the work of her father, Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt.

Carol McCusker, PhD - Curator of Photography / Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA), San Diego, CA
Museum of Photographic Art (MOPA)

Carol received her Ph.D in art history, with an emphasis on the history of photography and film history, at the University of New Mexico (UNM), Albuquerque. She has curated numerous exhibitions at MoPA, and the University Art Museum at UNM. The power of photojournalism to educate and change public perception has been one of her greatest interests."Photography helps us to ponder history, see other cultures, or find refuge in beauty," notes Dr. McCusker. "It is always working, aiding art and science, confirming facts, identifying people and places, or encouraging our moral imaginations. Its directness as well as its rich nuances expand our knowledge of the world both past and present. Instead of a little more understanding and care escaping from the world, at its best, photography stems the flow of ignorance, of lost consciences, or forgotten beauty."

In 2006 Carol curated the exhibition titled ÒBreaking the Frame: Pioneering Women in Photojournalism" and "Shooting in 35: The First 35mm Photographs." Her dissertation, Shooting Stars: War Photographers in Hollywood, will be published soon; it examines the technological, aesthetic, and political exchanges between photojournalists and filmmakers during the Great Depression, WWII, and the McCarthy Era.

MoPA is devoted to exhibiting, collecting, and conserving the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. It addresses cultural, historical, and social issues through its exhibitions and public programming. Located in Balboa Park in the heart of San Diego, it has received numerous awards and consistently brings excellent exhibitions, guest speakers, educational programs, and national and international film series to the greater southern California community.

Jason Murison, Director, P.P.O.W Gallery / Pilkington . Olsoff Fine Arts, Inc. / New York City
P.P.O.W. Gallery

Jason Murison is the current director of PPOW gallery, New York. PPOW specializes in showcasing contemporary art works with a focus on both the social and the political. Photographers such as Carrie Mae Weems, Carolee Schneemann, Ellen Kooi, and Dinh Q Le have been an integral part of its program.

Mr. Murison has also curated extensively organizing such shows as How I Finally Accepted Fate at the Elizabeth Foundation, New York [brochure, essay], The Most Splendid Apocalypse, 2005, Impact: New Mural Projects 2004 at PPOW Gallery, NY, Escape Fro New York at the New Jersey Center for the Arts, New Jersey [catalogue] 2003, as well as an upcoming exhibition on Real Estate entitled The Price of Nothing scheduled for the Elizabeth Foundation in the Spring 2007. He has also written critical reviews for both NY Arts Magazine and Brooklyn Rail and lectured at the New School and Parsons.