The Canadian Association for Photographic Art was born in 1998 as a result of a
merger between the National Association for Photographic Art (NAPA) and the
Colour Photographic Association of Canada (CPAC). CPAC traces its beginnings back to May 1947, when a small group of amateur
photographers met in Toronto to organize a national association. The formation
of CPAC was advertised in photographic magazines, enticing camera clubs
across Canada to join the new organization. The Colour Photographic Guild of
Halifax was the first to join. In November 1949, a board of directors was elected
and Alice Payne Stark became the first President of CPAC. CPAC sponsored
its first convention on colour photography in 1953 and again in 1957. Other
conventions followed until declining membership was unable to support such
undertakings. In the spring of 1967, a small group of Canadian photographers met to discuss
the need for a Canadian association that promoted all aspects of photography,
including black and white imagery. CPAC was not destined to expand its
interests beyond that of colour. An exchange of ideas continued and on
December, 1967, NAPA was born. NAPA assisted Canadian photographers with exhibitions, competitions,
conferences, workshops and its long-running fine art magazine, Camera Canada. Membership grew from an initial 225 individuals and 40 clubs to several
thousand individuals and over 100 clubs. The success of NAPA would not have been achieved without the untiring and
unselfish efforts of many people, including the executive officers, directors and
chairmen of our association. Our first President, Lloyd C. Kitchen, through his
strong leadership and sound administrative ability, laid a solid base for NAPA's
growth and popularity. Joan Powell, editor of Fotoflash, did a marvellous job in preparing the
publication, which kept us informed and up to date about the happenings in the
field of Canadian photography. Our national secretaries, from Helen Hancock
through to our current Leona Isaac, have played major roles in keeping the
organizations on course. Freeman Patterson was instrumental with his foresight during the planning
stages. As editor-in-chief of Camera Canada, he helped bring to fruition many of
the aims and objectives set forth in the charter, granted in 1969. He continues to
impress and instruct Canadians with his many fine images, books and workshops
across the country. NAPA underwent large changes around 1994 when head office was moved from
Ontario to its present site in British Columbia. Camera Canada simultaneously
received a new printer, lithograph service and editorial staff. As an unprecedented two-term president of NAPA, Dr. Bob Ito supervised and
took on much of the labour involved in these transitions by him, from moving the
office equipment to setting up the new computer system. As Dr. Ito spent over
ten years on the board of directors, we continue to rely on his advice for matters
of particular importance. NAPA and CPAC operated independently until both boards of directors met in
Toronto in the winter of 1996. The feeling was mutual that one group would
better serve the needs and desires of Canadian photographers. It took two years
to work through the logistics until both groups finally emerged united as the
Canadian Association for Photographic Art (CAPA). The strengths of both groups were adopted and maintained as the services and
functions provided by the new organization. Honours, awards and scholarship
programs were refined. New exhibitions and competitions, allowing more room
for innovative photographers' thinking, were added. Computer generated and
manipulated work found a place for appreciation, along with dye and emulsion
transfer experimentation. Abstract artists even had a forum of their own. Camera Canada magazine evolved into a more informational Fotoflash Journal,
which further flourished and changed to the current Canadian Camera, featuring
portfolios and articles by CAPA members and clubs. Many editors, printers and
advertisers have been involved in shaping the fabric of our popular quarterly
publications. The Canadian Camera Conference (formerly Camera Canada College) continues
to be CAPA's premier annual summer conference. Originally based around the
Annual Print Exhibit and subsequent Traveling Salon, slidemakers eventually
found a forum as well in this prestigious venue during CCC '93. The extended
weekend of workshops and field trips continues to be a very popular function for
our members and the general public. CAPA's direction will continue to ride on the
efforts of its volunteers and the enthusiasm of its members. From the traditional
darkrooms to the age of computers to whatever comes next, CAPA hopes to
be there, helping Canadian artists leave their mark on the wonderful world of
photography!
