UNBOUND!
In the summer of 2012, Candela Books + Gallery founder Gordon Stettinius launched UnBound! as an invitational exhibition to build community and support artists. From the beginning, Candela has hosted a fundraising effort to allow the gallery to purchase a limited number of works from each summer’s show. The resulting Collection has since grown to nearly 150 pieces. The mission of the Candela Collection has been to support photographers through the purchase and collection of original photographic work, while also actively pursuing opportunities to donate said work to notable art institutions.
In 2025, the gallery introduced artist honorariums: 1-2 selected artists were chosen for solo exhibition opportunities in the 2026 Candela programming year, and were given honorariums to help fund these exhibitions.
The UnBound! exhibition is now primarily submission-based with a small selection of invited artists represented. UnBound! aims to present a survey of what photography looks like in the moment, exhibiting 40+ strong works representing a range of concepts, personal and professional backgrounds, and applications of the photographic medium.
2025 UNBOUND!
ACQUISITIONS
KYOHEI ABE
CODY BRATT
![ZACH CLARK [NATIONAL MONUMENT PRESS]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fcd0aa68a6527414893a850/1cc624c6-e072-4d44-9aa9-27eaf9187ada/UnBound14_Clark.Zach_DodecaMeters.gif)
ZACH CLARK [NATIONAL MONUMENT PRESS]
MATT EICH
FRANCISCO GONZALEZ CAMACHO
AMANDA MARCHAND & LEAH SOBSEY
JORDAN MARTY
ADRIENNE MOUMIN
RACHEL PHILLIPS
ANDREAS RENTSCH
DONNA SOO
RAYMOND THOMPSON JR
VAUNE TRACHTMAN
THE OPEN CALL
There is no theme to the UnBound! exhibition. We treat each year like a survey, encouraging a range of perspectives, concepts, and applications of the photographic medium. UnBound! has seen the likes of digital prints, darkroom work, alternative processes, mixed media, and sculptural interpretations of photography.
Looking for inspiration? To take a look at what has gone into the collection, click here. To see last year’s UnBound! works, click here.
The majority of the works included in the UnBound! exhibition are selected from the open call submission. In addition, each year we invite a small number of artists to participate. We look for notable artists who are farther along in their photographic careers or bring something distinct to the selection. This results in a range of works from artists in different moments of their careers, and gives an extra boost to an emerging artist's CV.
We encourage anyone from hobbyists, teachers, and seasoned professionals to submit. As long as the work is photographic in origin, it is welcome!
THERE IS NO FEE TO SUBMIT TO UNBOUND!
We work hard to keep fees off of the submission process. Our hope is that photographers will choose to support our UnBound! exhibition with their active participation, just as we hope to support their work and careers in return.
SUBMISSIONS FOR UNBOUND15! ARE CLOSED.
SUBMISSIONS FOR UNBOUND16! OPEN FEBRUARY 1, 2027.
UnBound14!, Jane Waggoner Deschner
THE EXHIBITION
This summer group exhibition, held in Richmond, VA, is the only open call exhibition Candela Gallery offers each year. It is dedicated to featuring a wide range of photographic artworks and artists books from 40-50 fine art photographers. UnBound! generates opportunities and exposure beyond the traditional group or juried show by providing collection and funding opportunities for artists.
THE COLLECTION
The mission of the Candela Collection is to support photographers through the purchase of original photographic work and to actively pursue opportunities to donate said works to a notable permanent collection. The Candela Collection currently includes photographic artworks and fine art photography books.
Louviere + Vanessa, Chloroform, Valde, 2006 Inkjet on Gampi Paper, Wax & Blood, Edition 1 15, 2012 UnBound Acquisition
Athena Petra Tasiopoulos, Wrap, 2014 Mixed Media on Photo Rag Print, 7 x 5.5 inches, 2014 UnBound Acquisition
Sara J. Winston, A Lick and A Promise, Edition of 50, Published by Candor Arts in September 2017, 2018 UnBound Acquisition
Katie Edwards, Voice-O-Graph of God, 2012 Digital Pigment Print on Hahnemuhle Paper, 6 x 6 inches, 2014 UnBound Acquisition
Kabul & Loster, Childhood, Balinese “Keliki” Miniature Watercolor Painting w/ Chinese Ink + Cyanotype Print, 5 x 8 inches, Unique, 2019 UnBound Acquisition
Tony Chirinos, Untitled, 2004 Gelatin Silver Print, 16 x 20 inches, 2012 UnBound Acquisition
Lissa Rivera, Object of Desire, 2015 Archival Pigment Print, 30 x 20 inches, 2018 UnBound Acquisition
Rachel Phillips, Dendromancy: Divination by Trees, Version 1, 2013 Unique Varnished Transfer Print to Antique Cabinet Card with Albumen Portrait, 6.5 x 4.25 inches, 2013 UnBound Acquisition
Susan Burnstine ,The Last Goodbye, 2010 Archival Pigment Print, Hand Varnished, 16 x 16 inches, Edition 9 of 15, 2012 UnBound Acquisition
Priya Kambli, Dada Aajooba and Dadi Aaji, 2012 Archival Inkjet Print, 8 x 8 inches, 2014 UnBound Acquisition
Raymond Thompson Jr, Elissa 2017,Archival Pigment Print, 24 x 30 inches, 2019 UnBound Acquisition
SUPPORT UNBOUND!
Purchase Individual Works
Like most of our gallery exhibitions throughout the year, all works, including books, featured in UnBound! are available for direct purchase. All work is split 50/50 (40/60 for books) between the gallery and the artist, directly funding their practice while supporting Candela gallery’s operations.
Fund the Collection
There are ways to support UnBound! without directly purchasing a piece. Throughout the course of the exhibition, you can give directly or purchase merchandise.
Attend the Party
During the UnBound! exhibition, Candela hosts a fundraising event, CANDELAFEST, to celebrate the exhibition’s featured artists, and to raise funds for Collection acquisitions and honorariums, and support Candela programming through the following calendar year.