Roland Hartley Wins 2026 PPA Photo Award for Mezcal Project
Roland Hartley has been awarded the 2026 PPA Photo Award by Pasadena Photography Arts for his project titled “Mezcal: Ancestral Fire,” which explores mezcal production in Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca, Mexico. This accolade aims to highlight emerging photographers and will showcase Hartley's work across PPA's platforms. On September 23rd at 5 PM PDT, he will present a virtual talk, chosen by guest juror Craig Krull. Hartley, a Virginia resident, employs a monochrome digital camera and produces platinum-palladium prints. His project, currently a zine edited by David Alan Harvey, features the blessing of Palenque El Conejo, managed by maestro mezcalero Antonio Carlos Martínez and his family. Hartley intends to revisit Oaxaca in early 2027 to further develop the project.
Key facts
- Roland Hartley wins 2026 PPA Photo Award for 'Mezcal: Ancestral Fire'.
- Award given by Pasadena Photography Arts (PPA).
- Project documents traditional mezcal production in Santa Catarina Minas, Oaxaca.
- Guest juror: Craig Krull, gallerist and art historian.
- Virtual artist talk on September 23rd at 5 PM PDT.
- Hartley uses monochrome digital camera and platinum-palladium prints.
- Project currently exists as a zine edited by David Alan Harvey.
- Hartley received John Chervinsky Emerging Photographer Scholarship from Griffin Museum of Photography.
- Solo exhibition 'The Fall Line' opens at Griffin Museum in December 2026.
- Hartley plans to return to Oaxaca in early 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Roland Hartley
- Craig Krull
- Antonio Carlos Martínez
- Gabriel Martínez
- Toño Martínez
- Mary Ellen Mark
- Alex Webb
- Rebecca Norris Webb
- Fernando Armenghol
- Lisa Volpe
- Tricia Rosenkilde
- David Alan Harvey
Institutions
- Pasadena Photography Arts
- International Center of Photography
- Griffin Museum of Photography
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Lenscratch
Locations
- Pasadena
- United States
- Virginia
- Blue Ridge Mountains
- Oaxaca
- Santa Catarina Minas
- Mexico