History

HISTORY

The Month of Photography Festival would not exist without the tireless efforts of its founder, Mark Sink, a Denver-based artist, curator, and champion for the photographic arts in the Western region.

In 2004, Mark and a team of dedicated volunteers organized the first festival in collaboration with 30 local galleries, museums, and other art spaces. The arts community embraced the concept, and the event grew steadily over the next two decades.

Today, the Month of Photography festival is a major highlight of Denver’s arts scene and has grown into a massive, regionwide event that engages more than 60 venues and thousands of artists and attendees. Month of Photography Denver is also a member of the Festival of Light, an international collaboration of more than 20 photography festivals around the world.

The Colorado Photographic Arts Center (CPAC) has been a key partner in producing the festival since the beginning as an exhibition space, event host, and supporter. In 2015, 2017, and 2019, CPAC organized the festival’s signature event, the Portfolio Reviews, as well as a Portfolio Walk in 2019. In 2019, Mark handed CPAC the reins. The 2021 festival was the first under CPAC’s leadership — and the first to take place during the challenging circumstances of a global pandemic. Colorado’s arts community rose to the occasion with 69 venues presenting 105 exhibitions and events highlighting photography by more than 500 artists. The 2023 festival brought the community back together in person again and celebrated with 148 events and exhibitions at 73 participating spaces, highlighting 500+ artists!

CPAC is excited to present the 10th MOP festival March 1-31, 2025.

To learn more about MOP history and past festivals, please visit the Month of Photography Festival archive.

Pictured above: Mark Sink, Founder of Month of Photography Denver welcomes visitors on the opening night of the 2019 festival with Samantha Johnston, CPAC’s Executive Director & Curator. Image by From the Hip Photo.