The Promega Art Showcase is celebrating its 30th anniversary by hosting the 14th PhotoMidwest Biennial Juried Exhibition as part of the 2026 PhotoMidwest Festival in Madison, WI.
The PhotoMidwest Biennial showcases photographers living and working across thirteen midwestern states. The 2026 juror is Karen Irvine, Chief Curator and Deputy Director of the Museum of Contemporary Photography at Columbia College Chicago.
Two workshops will be offered on September 18 at the Promega Biopharmaceutical Technology Center. Karen Irvine will host a workshop titled “What A Curator Sees: How Photographs Get Attention” from 9:00—10:30 am. Participants will hear a behind-the-scenes perspective on curatorial decision making, with insights into working with museums and presenting their artwork. Ralph Russo will follow with a workshop titled “Seeing Differently: Photography Fundamentals for Aspiring Photographers” from 10:30 am—12:00 pm. Both workshops are open to the public.
Opening Reception & Symposium – Thursday, September 17, 2026
Symposium from 4:00 pm–5:00 pm Reception from 5:00 pm–6:30 pm
Exhibit open to the public – September 17, 2026 – February 26, 2027
Monday through Friday 8:00 am–4:00 pm
Groups larger than ten by appointment only: (608) 443-3098
The Promega Spring Art Showcase, Shared Humanity, reflects the universal values, emotions and experiences across the work of three distinct yet complementary artists. The exhibit opens Tuesday, May 5. Georgios Katsagelos presents Portraits of Women, a photographic series developed over more than three decades across four continents, capturing the complexities of female presence in a male-dominated world. Michael Velliquette contributes intricately handcrafted paper sculptures and a series of powder-coated aluminum sculptures that translate his iconic motifs into reflective, three-dimensional forms that interact dynamically with light and space. Chele Ramos brings an intimate and emotionally driven perspective through her portraiture, blending contemporary realism with expression and using bold color, texture and expressive gestures to convey inner experience and emotional depth.
Opening Reception & Symposium – Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Symposium from 3:30 pm–4:30 pm Reception from 4:30 pm–6:30 pm
Musical performance by The Tony Castañeda Latin Jazz Band
Exhibit open to the public – May 5, 2026 – September 4, 2026
Monday through Friday 8:00 am–4:00 pm
Groups larger than ten by appointment only: (608) 443-3098
