The works of the graduating class from Humber’s Photography program are on display at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport as part of the popular Contact Photography Festival.

Thirty-eight student photographs will be at the airport from May 7 to May 21. The exhibit is being mounted by the Humber Galleries team.

Kyla Ross, project manager, Centre for Creative Business Innovation and Humber Galleries, said Nieuport Aviation – which owns and operates the passenger terminal at the airport – reached out to see if Humber would be interested in showcasing student photography as part of Contact. Humber participates in Contact yearly at North Campus but this was an opportunity for the students to exhibit beyond Humber’s borders.

“We’re very excited and happy to take them up on the offer,” said Ross. “It’s a great opportunity to promote the Photography program and showcase the talented students who are graduating this year.”

David Scott, a professor and program coordinator with the Photography program, said the students recently exhibited their works as part of their annual grad showcase. Having their photos on display at the airport will be an entirely different experience, said Scott.

“Getting to have their work off campus in an exhibition space like the airport is a really wonderful opportunity,” said Scott.  

Each student went through their portfolio to select an image that they felt best represents their work or of which they’re particularly proud. Each piece has an artist statement and the social media handle of the photographer so people can contact the students directly ­­– whether it’s to purchase a print or hire them for original photography.

Scott said, this year, students showed a strong interest in portraiture. While they’re all capturing the human experience, Scott said the students took a colourful approach this year and created a diverse collection of images.

Scott said the program promotes a balance of fine art photography and studio work and that’s reflected in what the students created.

“You’re going to see photographers who know how to light, how to compose and how to use background and foreground but who also have creative and aesthetic art-based thought behind their images as well,” said Scott.

Scott said the exhibit will be a showcase of what they’ve learned in the program and is also an opportunity to add the experience of participating in a well-regarded festival on their resume.

“Getting their images in front of the public is a big push at the moment for these emerging artists so having their visuals and name out there through an exhibit such as this is hugely important,” said Scott.

Scott also said the experience is building a sense of community among the students as they’ve united as burgeoning artists celebrating each other’s creativity and creations.

Ross, meanwhile, noted Billy Bishop hosts a number of art exhibits throughout the year, including Bloody Boats by Humber alumni Akshata Naik that was also exhibited at Humber.