I AM FEST

JOSH KELEHER | http://www.flickr.com/photos/josh_keleher/

I AM FEST 2011

I have yet to decide what I want to be when I grow up. I think deciding what to be is such a difficult thingfor me to resolve because I am interested in so many different things this world has to offer. That isone reason I love photography, the options are endless. I am able to share with others amazing partsof this world that may have never been thought about or seen had it not been for my perspective. Afew of my friends liked my perspective on life and told me I should submit my work to this brand newfestival. Before I knew it I had my worked on display at the first I AM FEST in 2009. I met some reallygreat people that encouraged me to start developing myself further as a photographer.

I AM FEST was a catalyst for me as an artist. Showing your work at a festival is an intimidating thing foran artist that has never presented their work before; I can vouch for that first hand. I quickly learned that I AM FEST artists, no matter what their experience level, were all there to help and build each other up. After my 2009 experience at I AM FEST I started my own photography business called ANew ViewPhotography. In 2010 I was asked to be the Artistic Director for I AM FEST, in the spirit of collaboration we brought the exhibiting artists on stage to create art as musicians performed. I was lucky enough tobe asked back again this year as a Co-Artistic Director. In 2011 we have found new ways to combined and showcase the wide array of Chicago’s independent talent – you won’t want to miss it!

I have seen this festival evolve and grow into something better each year, so where do we go from here? I AM FEST is designed around collaboration. The whole premise of this festival is to combine and celebrate multiple art forms in order to promote and advance Chicago’s independent arenas.This festival is unique because it is all about building up other people involved in I AM FEST instead of focusing on individual acts. Which means that the limits of I AM FEST are boundless as long as people are willing to continue supporting each other with a spirit of collaboration at the core of what they do.

“Let’s you and I conjure together. You watch me and I’ll watch you and I will show you how to show me how to show you how to do our marvelous human tricks together.” – Photographer Courtney Milne