Traveling photo show To The Front DIY comes to Philly to celebrate female and non-binary artists

To The Front DIY photographers in New York | photo by Nancy Dubin | courtesy of To The Front DIY

Create an artistic space for yourself: this is the central idea behind To The Front, a traveling photo show that focuses on the work of female-identifying and non-binary artists. Launched by photographers Erica Lauren Perez and Courtney Coles in Los Angeles, the show has toured cities like Boston, New York and Toronto, and comes to Philly on October 27 at Callowhill gallery Vox Populi (UPDATE 10/1: To The Front Philly will now be held at Fishtown’s Open Space Studio; flyer for the event can be found down below). It is a free, all age event. All money raised through the selling of prints or snacks will be donated to local charities. 

The primary goal of To The Front is to give a voice to artists who are typically shunned in the music/photography industry and create a sense of solidarity by uniting underrepresented artists within a single platform to showcase their work. The lineup shifts to allow the participation of local artists based in the host city. The first show, which was held in January 2017, featured only four photographers. The upcoming Philly show features over 25 artists — including Key contributors Rachel Del Sordo and Ashley Gellman, as well as Philly’s Emily Dubin, Jessica Flynn, and Morgan Smith, and more — with special live performances by Augusta Koch of Cayetana / Gladie, as well as Ready Now. Listen to recent music from both artists below, and get more info on the event here.