Today we’d like to introduce you to Eyes On Main Street INC Eyes On Main Street INC.
Hi Eyes on Main Street INC, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Festival Theme: The Streets of the World, as seen by 100 Photographers.
In the Spring of 2014, as mall group of artists came together and toyed around with the idea of creating a large photographic event in Historic Downtown Wilson, using some of the dilapidated buildings and contacting business owners to put 100 large scale images from famous photographers from around the world on their buildings, and the response was very posoitive. 12 years later, we have grown to an international recognized event.
-Main Exhibition is Outdoor over ¾ mile
The 12th edition of Eyes on Main Street, Wilson Outdoor Photo Festival will launch on May 16, 2026 in historic downtown Wilson, NC. For 100 days, 100 photographs will be display on 100 storefront windows, walls and buildings, spanning nine city blocks. Following Barnes Street, then Lodge Street and Nash Street, our city center will be transformed into a vibrant gallery of large-scale photographs. The outdoor exhibition, curated by Jerome De Perlinghi, features the work of 100 photographers from 35 countries. Among the artists included in this 12th edition are: Alec Soth, Regula Tschumi, Jacques Henri Lartigue, Liliana Ranattella, Sam Vox, Julia Coddington, Rammy Narula, Agnes Burger, Kenneth Jarecke, Polly Rusyn and Barbara Alper to name a few.
-Visit Eyes on Main Street permanent indoor gallery The American Center for Photographer (ACP)
The American Center for Photographers (ACP) is located in a purposely designed gallery space in the heart of the City of Wilson North Carolina. Building on the successes of Eyes on Main Street Inc. ten years of international photography festival activities, the ACP’s core goal is to celebrate established photo practitioners and elevate the profiles of emerging photographers. The ACP presents monthly photography exhibitions showcasing work from within the USA and beyond. Coupled with the exhibition programming will be education workshops, forums and other photocentric events that will grow public awareness of photographic image makers and generate networks between photographers throughout the world. Partnering with the Eyes on Main Street Inc. photographer in residency initiative, the ACP gallery will house an annually rotational portfolio collection that features works by USA and International photographers.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Artistically speaking, this has been a very smooth road with among the most famous and known photographers participating, if this was baseball, football or the music world, it means that Babe Ruth, Tom Brady or Beyonce would have come through Wilson.
But the struggle is mostly financial trying to raise year in year out the funds to cover the budget to offer all our activities, these are free by the way, we do not charge, that is the really complicated tasks.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We have a created an unique event in the artistic landscape of North Carolina, as we have exhibited over 12 years the work of over 750 photographers coming from 92 different countries. Over 200 photographers have visited Historic Downtown Wilson personally, many making 2 to 7 trips to be with us year in year out. Photography is now part of our city landscape, we are really proud of that achievement.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Not sure how to answer this question
Pricing:
- All activities are free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eyesonmainstreetwilson.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyesonmainstreetinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eyesonmainstreet
