History

The Washington Park Camera Club (WPCC) was organized in 1955 and received its Charter in 1961. It is one of Chicago’s oldest and one of two predominantly African-American camera clubs in the Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association (CACCA). The club is also a member of the Photographic Society of America (PSA).

WPCC provides a forum where those who are interested in photography can meet, learn and explore different aspects of the art and increase their knowledge of this fascinating science.

Throughout the club year, WPCC offers critiques, workshops, and competitions, field trips and events with guest photographers and lecturers on various subjects relating to the art.

The club enters it’s work in monthly and annual CACCA international competitions and art fairs and has been recognized as an organization with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

The Executive Committee (2023 – 2025)

Charter Members

April 4, 1961

Joseph Collymore
I. L. Simmons
Harry MacDonald
James Avery
Henry A. Martin
Augustus J. Kinslow
Robert F. Dowdell
Thomas Bill

Committees

Competition – Duane Savage
- Print – Linda Hondras, Vanessa Peoples-Thomas
- Digital Projected Images – Johnny Evelyn, Duane Savage
Historical – Fred Lott
Archive – Diane Halle, Yvonne Cary-Carter
Program – Dennis Hurd, Sheila Nicholes
Communication – Bonnie DuBose, Philip Thomas
Membership – Rosetta Porter, Hez Baker
Peer Mentorship – Roslyn J. Amour, Bonnie DuBose
Banquets Committee – Jerlyn Maloy, Roslyn Armour, Linda Hondras
Information Technology – Philip Thomas
Liaisons
- Park District Liaison – Fred Lott, Vanessa Thomas
- Arts Incubator Liaison – Sam Cooper
- The Green Line – Sheila Nicholes

Banquet

Members: Co-chaired by Jerlyn Maloy, Roslyn J. Amour and Linda Hondras

The Banquet Committee of the Washington Park Camera Club plays a key role in fostering a sense of community and celebration among our members. Tasked with organizing two significant events each year, the Christmas Holiday Banquet and the End-of-Year Banquet, the Banquet Committee ensures that these gatherings are memorable and enjoyable for all participants.

The Christmas Holiday Banquet serves as a festive occasion for members to come together, enjoy each other’s company, and share in the joy of the holiday season. With careful planning and attention to detail, the Banquet Committee works diligently to create an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie at this event.

The End-of-Year Banquet is an important tradition for the Washington Park Camera Club, as it provides an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding work of our members. During the event, we present awards to those who have demonstrated exceptional skill and creativity in photography over the past year. Additionally, the Photo Display feature allows members to showcase their work to the audience, providing a platform for artistic expression and mutual appreciation.

Both of these events have become integral parts of the WPCC calendar, allowing members to come together, share their passion for photography, and foster connections with one another. The Banquet Committee is proud to contribute to the continued success of these gatherings, ensuring that they remain a highlight of the WPCC experience.

Competition

Members: Duane Savage (Competition Chair), Johnny Evelyn (Chair DPI), Linda Hondras (Chair Print)

The Competition Committee stands drives the spirit of excellence and creativity within our photographic community. Its primary responsibilities encompass the orchestration and administration of our monthly and annual competitions, with particular emphasis on the Print and Digitally Projected Image (DPI) subcommittees.

Print Competitions Subcommittee

Organizes in-person competitions held on the Tuesday before the second Saturday of each month, aligning with the CACCA print competition schedule.
Evaluates physical, mounted prints, embracing a broad spectrum from small to large sizes in both color and monochrome image formats.

DPI Competitions Subcommittee

Facilitates competitions that can be either in-person or virtual, also scheduled for the Tuesday before the second Saturday of each month, in harmony with the CACCA DPI competition calendar.
Judges digital images, showcasing them in vibrant color and intricate monochrome formats.

Beyond the monthly competitions, the Competition Committee also plays an instrumental role in:

Managing the prestigious End-of-the-Year Print and DPI competition, a testament to the culmination of our club’s yearly endeavors.
Scheduling skilled and experienced judges for every WPCC competition, ensuring a fair and enlightening evaluation process.
Training dedicated WPCC members, equipping them with the knowledge and expertise to judge not only internal competitions but also external ones, encompassing sister clubs and the broader CACCA community.
Synchronizing our monthly involvement in the Print and DPI competitions with the Chicago Area Camera Club Association (CACCA), reinforcing our commitment to photographic excellence.
Actively coaching and mentoring WPCC members, nurturing their growth to become esteemed judges for both print and DPI image competitions.

Historical

The Historical Committee of the Washington Park Camera Club safeguards the club’s legacy. Tasked with chronicling its milestones and achievements, the committee meticulously document and preserve the club’s history. Their work ensures that both current and future generations can appreciate the club’s rich heritage and evolution.

Liaisons

The Liaisons of the Club stands as a crucial bridge connecting the club with key external entities. This committee diligently nurtures and maintains the relationships with the Washington Park Field House of the Chicago Park District and the University of Chicago Arts Incubator / Arts and Public Life organizations. Recognizing the value of collaboration, they ensure seamless interactions, joint initiatives, and mutual growth between the club and these esteemed institutions. Their work not only strengthens the club’s ties within the broader community but also fosters opportunities for members to engage, learn, and grow through these vital partnerships.

Membership

Members: Hez Baker, Linda Hondras, Rosetta Porter

The Washington Park Camera Club’s Membership Committee is like the friendly neighbor who’s always there to give newcomers a hearty welcome. They’re on top of all things membership, scooping up applications from the club’s websites, shout-outs from current members, and those cool promo ads they run. Once someone decides to join in on the fun, the committee adds them to the Club Directory, which gets a refresh and is shared every month.

But here’s the cool part: they aren’t just about the paperwork. They’re big on keeping the vibes warm and friendly. Every member gets a birthday shout-out via email and, wait for it, an actual birthday card in the mail! How retro and awesome is that? And if someone’s going through a rough patch, like an illness or a loss, or even celebrating a retirement or special moment, the committee is right there, sending a card or giving a call. It’s clear they’re all about making everyone feel right at home in the Washington Park Camera Club.

Paparazzi

The Club’s Paparazzi is tasked with overseeing the photographic documentation of both club and community events. In collaboration with the president and the Program Committee, they handle photography requests and coordinate the scheduling of volunteers for event coverage.

Peer Mentorship

Members: Roslyn J. Armour, Bonnie DuBose

Are you looking to enhance your photography skills and learn more about your camera’s functions? Our mentor program is just what you need.

Started during the 2020-2021 camera season, our program was developed after many of our members expressed their desire for sessions where they could learn and grow with like-minded individuals. Our first year during the pandemic was a huge success, and we’re excited to offer it again this year!

Our mentors are dedicated to helping you learn more about your camera, including what to focus on, when to shoot, how to set your camera for different scenes, and how to use programs to enhance your photos. All members who want to improve their photography skills are welcome to join.

Click HERE to learn more.

Programs & Events

The Program Committee serves as a vital pillar of a camera club. The primary goal of such clubs is to facilitate members’ engagement in activities that bolster their photographic skills. Members are encouraged to share their creative images, hone their abilities with photo sessions featuring live models, animals, landscapes, varied action shots, and evocative street scenes, among others.

The Committee crafts opportunities tailored to these interests. With 2-3 meetings scheduled per month, members can anticipate individual photo challenges set by the committee, team-based photo challenges, local field trips, sessions with external photography experts, and workshops led by fellow members. Additionally, member suggestions for activities are always welcomed and encouraged.

Technology & Equipment

The “Technology and Equipment” committee is at the forefront of the club’s evolution in the digital age. Dedicated to modernizing the club’s technology landscape, they will evaluate and upgrade equipment setups to meet contemporary standards.

Additionally, the committee oversees the setup and maintenance of equipment crucial for the virtual components of in-person events, as well as the judging equipment for on-site competitions.

Memberships and Affiliations

Chicago Area Camera Clubs Association (CACCA) [ Website ]
Photographic Society of America (PSA) [ Website ]
Chicago Park District: Washington Park [ Website ]


Philip Thomas President	Diane Halle Vice President	Ted Evans Secretary	Carol Neal Treasurer

Club Organization