We kicked off No Strangers 2025 this weekend with a warm, buzzing reception inside Gallery 4 at HD SOUTH, where photographers, family, friends, and longtime Art Intersection supporters gathered to celebrate another year of shared creative vision. No Strangers has always been about community first, exhibition second — and this year’s opening made that especially clear.
From the moment the doors opened, the gallery filled with the unmistakable energy that happens when artists see each other’s work on the wall. Clusters of exhibitors formed almost immediately, leaning in close to prints, pointing out choices in contrast or composition, and swapping friendly critiques the way only people who’ve shared darkroom trays, workshops, and years of practice can. Conversations rippled through the space — some technical, some nostalgic, all grounded in mutual respect for the craft.
Guests moved through an eclectic mix of black-and-white studies, color landscapes, collage, and experimental works. The variety felt like a snapshot of our community’s creative range, shaped by different backgrounds, influences, and processes but united by shared enthusiasm. Many of the exhibiting artists spent the evening walking the room together, comparing notes, celebrating each other’s growth, and discovering new favorites on the walls.
Thank you to all our members who participated and to everyone who came out to support them. No Strangers 2025 is now open to the public until January 3rd, and we invite you to return, explore the work at your own pace, and experience the community spirit that makes this exhibition such a staple of ours.
Thanks to everyone who made it out to the opening reception for Emerge 2016! We love seeing the support these early-career artists get from their families, friends, and mentors.
Emerge 2016, our annual juried exhibition of high school-through-graduate school student photography, is one of our favorite exhibitions because we are always dazzled by the quality of work that we receive. This year was no exception! As juror William LeGoullon writes in his Juror’s Statement, “Emerge 2016 for me as a juror is about examining how students continue to challenge the ways we think about and develop the medium while simultaneously recognizing photography’s unique relationship to our culture as a whole.”
Congratulations to our award winners! Buzzy Sullivan won Best of Show, Brooke Wright took home Best of High School, and Aurora Berger received Best of Post-High School. We are grateful for our sponsors Freestyle Photographic Supplies (Best of Show), Tempe Camera (Best of High School and Post-High School), and INFOCUS (all award levels) for providing the prizes for these awards. Honorable Mentions were awarded to Boyana Babanovski, Christine Elysse Crossen, Pam Golden, Azalea Patricia Rodriguez, Adelaide West and Xana Wilcoxson.
Mia Tennant was a very talented Gilbert High School student photographer who passed away last year. To honor her memory, several of her photographs are on display alongside Emerge 2016. We were honored to have Mia’s mother, father, and brother join us for the reception.
Victoria Bridges poses with her mother
Prescott College student William Flemer with his artwork
Adelaide West with her artwork
Art Intersection intern Autumn Bibbee-Wright with her artwork
Emerge 2016 juror poses with Claire A. Warden and David Emitt Adams
Best of Show winner Buzzy Sullivan with his artwork
Best of High School winner Brooke Wright and family with her artwork
Best of Post-High School winner Aurora Berger with her artwork
