Houston's FLATS Hosts Fourth Annual Photo Zine and Book Market During FotoFest Biennial

FLATS, a Houston-based art space focused on lens-based work, is organizing the fourth iteration of Uncle Bob's Photo Zine & Book Market. The event is scheduled for April 11 and 12 at Silver Street Studios, located within the Sawyer Yards creative district. This year marks its inaugural inclusion as an official participant in the FotoFest Biennial. Over sixty vendors will participate, including individual artists and organizations. Notable participants include Abigail Simpson of Spike Studio, street photographer Blake Leiker, Fort Worth-based photographer Pamela Powell, Austin-based photographer and archivist Robinson Lopez, and current Houston Poet Laureate Reyes Ramirez. Organizations such as Houston Aura Photography and Houston Camera Exchange are also involved. The market was founded in 2021 by FLATS Founder and Curator Jessi Bowman, along with Anastasia Kirages, an organizer of Zine Fest Houston, and Houston artist Brenda Franco. According to Bowman, the event's name references a familiar, enthusiastic amateur photographer archetype, symbolizing the scrappy and curious spirit the market aims to support. The primary objective is to develop support systems for photographers and independent publishers in the Southern United States, fostering discussions around distinctions between photo zines and self-published photo books. Bowman expressed a long-term vision of establishing a community-rooted book fair that becomes a destination event for the region. Admission to the market is free, with further details available on the FLATS website.