Student Exhibition Showcases Experimental Photography at the School of Art as Part of FLASH Photographic Festival 2025

The School of Fine Arts Student Association (SOFASA) and University of Manitoba’s School of Art is proud to present Don’t look me in the eye, a student-curated exhibition opening April 2 at 6:00 PM, at the School of Art Student Gallery. This exhibition is one of three Partner Exhibitions hosted at the School of Art as part of this year’s FLASH Photographic Festival, a province-wide, month-long celebration of photography and lens-based art.

Curated by Maddie Alsip, Sharyn Gutierrez, River Inan, and Rebecca Smith, Don’t look me in the eye challenges traditional notions of photography through immersive, experimental, and interdisciplinary works. Rather than presenting only polished or conventionally “complete” pieces, the show embraces process, failure, and risk—featuring unfinished works and projects that expand or reimagine the photographic medium.

The exhibition features a range of emerging artists, from students just beginning their studies to graduating Honours students. Each artist engages with photography in bold and inventive ways, often incorporating installation, performance, or mixed media.

Opening Reception: April 2 at 6:00 PM

Exhibition Dates: April 2–11, 2025
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: School of Art Student Gallery, 158H Tache Arts Complex, University of Manitoba

Don’t look me in the eye is one of three School of Art contributions to FLASH 2025. Visitors are encouraged to also visit the School of Art Gallery exhibition duel exhibitions Jon Sasaki: Homage, curated by Sarah Milroy (McMichael Canadian Art Collection) and Jon Sasaki: I Contain Multitudes, curated by Gallery Director Blair Fornwald. Open Late: April 2, 5:00–8:00 p.m.

The School of Art community is also well represented across the province during FLASH Fest, with works by faculty and sessionals including Lori Blondeau, Timothy Brown, Sarah Ciurysek, Sarah Fuller, and Dominique Rey (see list below for details).

Join us in celebrating this exciting showcase of emerging voices and creative experimentation in contemporary photography.

more FLASH events:

Eight Times Two
Curated by: Sarah Crawley (Alumni), Sarah Ciurysek (Faculty), and Sarah Fuller (Sessional)
Featuring: Photographs by members of the Manitoba Camera Club and Winnipeg South Photography Club
Blankstein Art Gallery, 2nd Floor, Millennium Library, 251 Donald St., Winnipeg
Exhibition Dates: April 1–30
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 12, 1–3 PM
flashfest.net/eight-times-two

Prairie Thunder
Artists: Michelle Sound, Jessie Jannuska, Lori Blondeau (Faculty), Audie Murray, Cheyenne Rain LeGrande and Cikwes
Curated by: Marie-Anne Redhead and Stacey Koosel
Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Main Gallery, 710 Rosser Ave Unit 2, Brandon, MB
Gallery Hours: Tues/Wed/Fri: 10 AM–5 PM. Thurs: 10 AM–9 PM. Sat: 12–5 PM | Sun: Closed
Exhibition Dates: April 3–May 31
Opening Reception & Performance: Saturday, April 5, 6 PM
flashfest.net/agsm-main-gallery

Artist Talk: Dominique Rey (Faculty)
MOTHERGROUND exhibition
Winnipeg Art Gallery, 300 Memorial Blvd., Winnipeg
Sunday, April 13, 2025 | 2:00–3:30 PM
flashfest.net/events-1/2025/4/13/artist-talk-dominique-rey

Timothy Brown (Sessional)
I hear you in the trees
Munroe Library, 489 London St., Winnipeg
Artist in Attendance: Monday, April 7, 6–8 PM
flashfest.net/tim-brown-at-munroe-library

School of Art