Oldest Camera Club in the United States in Continuous and Uninterrupted Existence.
The Grand Rapids Camera Club was officially organized February 20, 1899 as reported by The Grand Rapids Herald. The first meetings were held at Gillett’s photo gallery over Morse’s Department Store located on Monroe at the corner of Spring Street. The Grand Rapids Camera Club (GRCC) is the oldest camera club in the United States in continuous and uninterrupted existence.
Club members held their first exhibition June 22 & 23,1899 at the studio of O.A. Gillett. Subsequent exhibitions were held at the Art Gallery, Public Museum, the Ryerson Library, and more recently photos were displayed in bank lobbies, photographic studios, galleries, camera stores, shopping malls, hotel lobbies, and many other more obscure places.
The Grand Rapids Camera Club is an active member of the Southwestern Michigan Council of Camera Clubs (SWMCCC), which sponsors an annual photography school and two photography competitions each year. GRCC is also a member of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) which offers conferences, workshops, and local and international competitions to it members.
The Club’s continued success lies in its many unique facets. The GRCC serves the needs of photographers whose interest lie in digital reproduction or in traditional photography. GRCC is the only club in our area with monthly workshops, two competitive interest divisions, prints and digital, with six categories in each division.
The Grand Rapids Camera Club has many internationally and locally recognized photographers who process a wealth of information, and are ready and willing to aid the aspiring photographer.