WPOW Annual Juried Exhibit Celebrates Women in Visual Journalism
The School of Visual Communication, in collaboration with the Women Photojournalists of Washington, proudly presents the WPOW Annual Juried Exhibit in recognition of Women’s Month. On view from February 23, 2026, through March 20, 2026, the exhibition will be hosted at The VisCom Focus in Schoonover 140 at Ohio University. The show honors the extraordinary contributions of women working in photojournalism, video journalism, and multimedia storytelling, highlighting the breadth, rigor, and impact of their work across the profession.
Among the featured photographs are images by Carol Guzy, a multiple Pulitzer Prize winner whose compassionate and unflinching reporting has shaped the visual record of humanitarian crises and global conflict. Her presence in the exhibition underscores the depth of experience and excellence represented by WPOW members.
The exhibition opens on February 23, 2026, at 5:30 pm with a public lecture by Valerie Plesch, an independent photojournalist, documentary photographer, and writer based in Washington, D.C. Her work examines politics, immigration, refugee resettlement, and human rights through both editorial assignments and long-form documentary projects. Drawing on years of international reporting, her practice explores memory, identity, and the lasting effects of conflict.
More than a gallery presentation, the WPOW Annual Juried Exhibit functions as a learning space. With a membership of more than 400 professionals, from established leaders to rising voices, WPOW is committed to increasing public understanding of the essential role women and those who identify as women play in visual journalism.
That commitment extends beyond a single venue. Each year, prints from the exhibit travel to colleges and universities across the country, strengthening networks, inspiring students, and expanding access to powerful visual narratives. As a volunteer-run nonprofit, WPOW continues to advance the field through education, advocacy, and community building, ensuring that the achievements of gender diverse professionals receive sustained visibility.
For students, the exhibition offers direct engagement with urgent, real-world storytelling and an opportunity to learn from practitioners whose work defines contemporary visual reporting. Support for this event is generously provided by Sony and Canon USA.
