Adam Parkin, a Stockton-based photographer, is celebrating two decades of capturing the essence of the Stockton International Riverside Festival (SIRF) through his lens. This year's exhibition, SIRF's Up 2026: 20 Years Photographing the Festival, showcases his journey from a young shutterbug to a seasoned artist, offering a unique perspective on the festival's evolution. Parkin's photos are more than just images; they're snapshots of joy, community, and cultural exchange, as he sees them through the eyes of the people who attend the festival year after year.
What makes Parkin's work particularly captivating is his ability to blend into the background, becoming an integral part of the festival experience. "I'll just sit down at the front and watch a show while taking photos of it," he explains. This approach has earned him a reputation for realism, as his photos capture the raw emotions and interactions of festival-goers. The exhibition at ARC Stockton Arts Centre until August 8th is a testament to his dedication, showcasing 20 years of the festival's vibrant theater, dance, music, and art acts.
Parkin's personal connection to the festival is deeply rooted in its history. "I first attended the festival in the womb when my parents visited in 1991, just days before I was born," he recalls. "I've been there pretty much every year since." This lifelong involvement has shaped his artistic vision, as he aims to "capture the moment" from the public's point of view. "It's a continuation of that," he says, emphasizing the festival's role in his artistic development.
The photographer's passion for photography was ignited by a program called shutterbugs, where young people were given disposable cameras to document the festival. "I don't think I ever won it," he admits, but the experience left a lasting impression. The comments book at his last show, where people shared their memories of the initiative, further solidified the festival's impact on his life and work.
Parkin's role as a visitor experience ambassador since 2014 (excluding the pandemic years) has given him a unique perspective on the festival's impact on the community. "It's just a very community atmosphere, everyone's happy, everyone talks to each other," he says, highlighting the festival's inclusive and welcoming nature. The small town of Stockton hosting an international festival is a source of pride for Parkin, who sees it as a celebration of diversity and cultural exchange.
As the 39th SIRF approaches, Parkin's exhibition serves as a nostalgic journey for long-time attendees and an introduction to the festival for newcomers. "There's people that attend the festival year in, year out," he says, "and I hope for them it's a retrospective look and it brings back a few memories of shows from times gone by." For first-time visitors, he hopes the exhibition will showcase Stockton in a positive light, highlighting the town's vibrant cultural scene.
SIRF's Up 2026 is not just an exhibition; it's a celebration of the festival's impact on Parkin's life and the community. It invites us to reflect on the power of art to capture moments, emotions, and the essence of a community. As Parkin continues to document the festival's evolution, we can only anticipate the captivating stories and images that will emerge in the years to come.
