Claire Wearn, Festival Director of Photo Fringe since 2020, is stepping down.

Claire says,

“Photo Fringe is unlike anything else, a large-scale, collective effort showing just how brilliant people can be when they work together.

I’ve had the most fun, and I’m so grateful to have met so many incredible, talented, and generous people using photography in all its forms to communicate in such compelling ways, and also to have worked with such an extraordinary team, who really do go the extra mile.

Looking after Photo Fringe has been an absolute joy. When I picked up the baton from some truly giant predecessors, I immediately felt at home with the mantra: Photo Fringe is open to all and everyone is invited.

It really is the sum of its beautiful parts; vast and eclectic in styles, subjects, and personalities. That’s what I love most, and what makes it so beautiful and thrilling.

I can't wait to visit the next festival and I'm excited for what's to come!”

Photo Fringe Chair, Rebecca Drew says

“Claire has brought incredible commitment, energy and talent to the role and Photo Fringe has significantly grown as a result. She will be greatly missed by everyone associated with Photo Fringe and we wish her every success in her new ventures”

As Producer, Claire successfully delivered the 2016 Photo Fringe festival, including Dana Ariel’s solo exhibition at Phoenix Art Space, a new outdoor commission by Bill Leslie, and an expanded Collectives & Festivals Hub in the canteen of the recently vacated local council offices on Hove’s seafront. She went on to work as the programme manager for the 2018 Photoworks Biennial, A New Europe.

Appointed as Photo Fringe Festival Director in February 2020, during the Covid pandemic, Claire led the delivery of one of the first hybrid festivals in the country, presenting exhibitions and events in-venue and also on-line. Take/Make was a call to action, inviting artists and audiences to take photos and to make a difference.

Photo Fringe 2022, Real Utopias took the here and now as a starting point for dreaming and visualising a better future. A new hub was launched in Newhaven with a commission by Kathryn Martin and installation by (re)structure collective.

The 2024 festival, Common Ground, aimed to promote positive change by bridging divides, challenging stereotypes and creating space for collaboration and connection. The theme was inspired by acts of reciprocity between generations of women farming together in Haringey, the subject of a major commission in partnership with the Gaia Foundation as part of their We Feed the UK project. Claire led a new commission by Arpita Shah shown at ONCA, Brighton and Build Hollywood billboards across north London, and touring to the RPS in Bristol. Becky Warnock was commissioned to make new work with Moulsecoomb Forest Garden in response to the project.

Last year's Common Ground was the biggest Photo Fringe festival to date with over 500 artists, more than 70 venues, an additional 30 online exhibitions, and a total of 78 events. The festival expanded along the coast with a major exhibition in Newhaven Marine Workshops curated by Jane & Jeremy, and a new festival hub in Portsmouth, Claire’s hometown.

Photo Fringe 2026 Discussion

Thursday, 16 Oct 2025 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Phoenix Art Space, Brighton

Plans for the next festival in October 2026 are advancing rapidly. At this challenging time for the arts, we'll be focusing on grassroots, peer-to-peer support for artists.

We welcome your ideas for the delivery of our next edition and the future of Photo Fringe. What should we continue doing, what should we should stop and what should we start?

Whether you've exhibited with Photo Fringe before, or you're thinking of taking the plunge, everyone is welcome.

Book your place via eventbrite here

[Above] Claire Wearn at the Photo Fringe 2024 opening party. Photographer: Phoebe Wingrove