Our leaders

Congratulations for your PhotoFest Board. You two had the vision and the energy to make it all work. We are here for you!

-Alice Thomas

I’ve been to a great many photography festivals in the last few years. This would never have happened had Wendy and Fred not given me the chance to “prove myself” as a portfolio reviewer at FotoFest in 2008. I had never seen so many portfolios in such a short amount of time! And this is not to mention all of the great conversations with my fellow reviewers. Apart from the many exciting projects that have become published books since then, I have also made new friends and met so many wonderful people from all over the world. All of this is because of FotoFest. Thank you for making me feel so welcome!

-Alexa Becker, Kehrer Verlag

A tribute from Brazil to Fred Baldwin and Wendy Watriss.

Fred Baldwin and Wendy Watriss should be praised for their outstanding contribution to American and international photography in the United States, as well as in Europe and Latin America, as  Directors of FotoFest Houston - the International Photography Biennale.  In putting together exhibitions, publishing books and catalogues and articulating connections among professionals, they have promoted the advancement of fine art photography from the 1980’ to the first two decades of the XXI century.

- Joaquim Paiva

BIGGER THAN TEXAS

The first time I met Fred and Wendy was in 2003 at Rhubarb-Rhubarb in Birmingham, and I was immediately taken by Fred’s sometimes unexpected wry sense of humor and Wendy’s warmth and charm. Shortly thereafter they invited me to FotoFest, which for me was the Festival of Festivals. Having heard rumors of rampaging photographers vying for your every second, the endless days, and the now folk legend of an eager photog sliding her portfolio into the restroom stall of a certain notable reviewer—I did not know what to expect. I have since attended four of their FotoFests, and my experience have always been nothing short of inspirational—with Fred & Wendy’s infectious casual enthusiasm being a big part of it! What I’ve taken from FotoFest, is a priceless collection of memories, meeting great contacts in the photo world and a good handful of artists that we’ve signed or exhibited at Klompching Gallery, and learning to ‘two-step.’ On my second trip to FotoFest in ‘06, bought a a prize of a souvenir from The Galleria, which was a t-shirt with “Texas It’s Bigger Than France” printed on it—for me the heart and specialness of Fred & Wendy for photography are “Bigger Than Texas”!

- Darren Ching, Klompching Gallery

Five Minutes, Chez Fred & Wendy’s…/Cinco Minutos, Chez Fred & Wendy’s…

Cinco minutos, Chez Fred & Wendy’s…

Muchas gracias a Fred y Wendy y a la comunidad mundial de FotoFest. Ha sido un gran placer ser parte de este evento y ver al duo dinámico atender a su creación con buen humor y sabias decisiones, siempre promoviendo la misión de la cultura visual y de la comprensión humana.  Espero con interés mis próximos cinco minutos Chez Fred & Wendy’s. 

Five Minutes, Chez Fred & Wendy’s…

Many thanks to Fred and Wendy and to the world wide FotoFest community. It has been a great experience being part of this event and seeing the dynamic duo tend to their creation with good cheer and wise choices, always furthering the mission of visual communication and human understanding. I look forward to my next five minutes Chez Fred & Wendy’s.

With friendship, heartfelt thanks and deep respect.

- Luis Delgado Qualtrough

The Enlightened Vision of Fred & Wendy

Like no one else, Wendy & Fred have expanded the geographic community of Photography. They have reached into hidden places of the world giving unknown photographers like myself the chance to show and share their art with people from different countries and cultures. I had a great experience when I was chosen for FotoFest as an Honored Guest in 1992, to exhibit my work Fotografias Pendientes. The encounter made it possible for my series to be mentioned in photographic essays and anthologies, as well as finding their way into some private collections.
Thanks to the FotoFest Meeting Place Portfolio Review in 2008 my work is now in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston - a gift for life!

Besides being very professional in their work, Wendy & Fred are adorable hosts to everybody who comes to FotoFest. It is difficult to describe them both in one word, but taking into account the hard work they have done (and are still doing), the kind, friendly feeling they transmit and their acute eye for the visual arts, I must say that they are enlightened human beings in the world of photography. I am forever grateful to know them.

- Roberto G. Fernández Ibáñez, Uruguay
www.robertofernandez.com.uy

Hats off the Wendy & Fred from the Texas Commission on the Arts

These two individuals have done so much for the photographic community of Texas and beyond.  Fotofest is a tribute to  Fred & Wendy’s keen artistic vision and their generous collaborative spirits. 

Fotofest is a model on so many levels:  the work is always high quality, multicultural, international, and provocative; the curatorial themes are fresh, thoughtful, and relevant; the exhibitions are everywhere because they collaborate with everyone, and those partnerships extend across decades because they are generous and professional; they honor the artist - by design, every participating artist is elevated professionally through exposure to curators, collectors, and new audiences, along with portfolio reviews and career advice; audience members are enriched and educated by the exhibitions and programs; school children in their community benefit from rich education outreach programs; their community benefits from all the tourism dollars generated; and an international spotlight is focused on the significance and artistry of photography.  Talk about a win-win dynamic!

This award is richly deserved. Wendy & Fred are both true Texas treasures.

- The Texas Commission on the Arts

London Calling…

I met Wendy at my first ‘Rhubarb’, my first ever portfolio review and soon after she gave me my first show at FotoFest. I met Fred for the first time soon after. That was back in 2004 and there have been many other firsts since!

If I stop to think for even a moment, the impact these two have had on just my career, let alone thousands of others, is nothing short of breath-taking.

There are many things I admire; the sparkle and quest for discovery, finding that which has not yet been seen. The generosity, warmth and graciousness. The intellect and verve, the energy and passion. 

Wendy, you are one of the women I most look up to in the world; if I could have even an ounce of your grace and good humour, I would be happy…

You are both held in my highest esteem and I can never thank you enough for the time you have given, the opportunities and encouragement.  I would love to be at Woodstock this weekend to join in honoring you both. 

Heartfelt thanks and a lot of love sent from London.

- Elaine Duigenan, October 2011
www.elaineduigenan.com