Society for Photographic Education

Welcome to Oakhurst

Document and Identity: 2009 SPE WEST UnConference & Retreat Oakhurst, CA Dec. 4-6, 2009

KEYNOTE: Catherine Opie
HONORED EDUCATOR: Robbert Flick

Registration for the unconference ended 11/20/09

Think Mountains and start conjuring up memories of childhood summer camp life  – because the SPE WEST “unConference” and Retreat will take you back! The Evergreen Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO) is located on the north side of the beautiful mountain village of Oakhurst, California. This is in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in eastern central California just south of Yosemite National Park. The air is clear and clean, the streams and lakes sparkle in the sun, and winters are mild. You’ll be nestled in with your colleagues in cabin or dorm style accommodations and served only the best camp style food that ECCO has to offer! Spend your days listening to image makers and taking professional development workshops, sip wine in the great outdoors, visit with your colleagues, take yoga, enjoy. As a bonus, participants arriving early will have the opportunity to attend a pre-conference field trip to see Ansel Adams’ original darkroom and house in Yosemite Valley. Pack your warm socks and get in the spirit for Camp SPE WEST. Everyone can attend! SPE members receive $75 off to attend – not a member? That’s okay! It’s easy to join!

SEE THE AGENDA:

https://www.regonline.com/spewest2009

Registration for the unconference ends 11/20/09

JOIN or RENEW: SPE offers an option to those interested in membership late in the calendar year. Under this selection the member will begin receiving benefits on January 1, 2010 and also receive membership status for the regional conferences of fall, 2009. **INDICATE THIS PREFERENCE BY FILLING OUT THE 2010 MEMBERSHIP FORM** http://spenational.org/membership/index.html

Oakhurst is located at the foot of the Sierra Mountains near Yosemite and is approximately 3.5 hours drive time from the bay area and 4.5 hours from the Los Angeles area. The closest airport is Fresno, CA.

CONFERENCE FEES: (includes conference fee, 5 meals and 2 night stay at ECCO) $175 conference/no lodging / $175 conference/dorm room lodging / $250 shared double/quad lodging / $425 private double lodging/ $175 RV Hook Up

©Catherine Opie, Oliver in a tutu

SV97022802 Long Beach Harbor ©Robbert Flick

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP call for entries:

Winners will receive free admission and a weekend stay at 2009 West Regional “unConference” and retreat. Transportation to and from the retreat is not included. Deadline was 11/1/2009.

* The Evergreen Conference Center (ECCO) hosts groups of all types including University Arts Festivals. SPE is not affiliated with any religious organizations.

SPE WEST Tours Alcatraz 11/2008 ©Brian Taylor

Inspiration: action, influence, ideas

Keynote: Alec Soth
Host Insitution: Academy of Art University

The SPE West regional conference in San Francisco was a huge success thanks to our attendees, members, volunteers, reviewers, presenters and sponsors – thank you to all who participated!  Alec Soth queried 33 of his fellow magnum members about advice for emerging photographers in preparation for the SPE West keynote presentation he gave – which was very well received. Read the answers to his queries here.

Upload and share your photos from the weekend on our SPE West flickr group.

In·spi·ra·tion

1. An inspiring or animating action or influence.

2. Something inspired, as an idea.

3. A result of inspired activity.

4. A thing or person that inspires.

5. Theology:

a. A divine influence directly and immediately exerted upon the mind or soul.

b. The divine quality of the writings or words of a person so influenced.

6. The drawing of air into the lungs; inhalation.

7. The act of inspiring; quality or state of being inspired.

The Society for Photographic Education is a non-profit membership organization that provides a forum for the discussion of photography and related media as a means of creative expression and cultural insight. Through its interdisciplinary programs, services and publications, the Society seeks to promote a broader understanding of the medium in all its forms, and to foster the development of its practice, teaching, scholarship and membership. The west region includes California, Nevada and Hawaii.