NEW YORK.- The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD), a non-profit organization comprising the world’s leading photography art dealers, has announced that Stephen Bulger, Stephen Bulger Gallery, Toronto, has been elected as AIPAD’s next president. His two-year term will begin on January 1, 2009.

“Stephen Bulger has made significant contributions to the photography community for more than 15 years,” said Robert Klein, President, Robert Klein Gallery, Boston, and President of AIPAD. “AIPAD is fortunate to have his experience and vision to lead the organization as the fine art photography market faces both new challenges and growth with the increase of collectors from the contemporary art world.”

An AIPAD member for 10 years, Stephen Bulger served on the Board beginning in 2001 and became First Vice President in 2003. He opened Stephen Bulger Gallery, Toronto, in 1995, and offers an active exhibition schedule of 19th century, 20th century and contemporary international photographers. He has published numerous catalogues and books, and has curated over 120 exhibitions. Mr. Bulger is also co-founder and a member of the Board of CONTACT, Toronto's photography festival which will hold its 13th annual event in May 2009. He is a graduate of the School of Image Arts at Ryerson University, Toronto, where he was the founding Manager of the Ryerson Gallery.

“I look forward to continuing the initiatives developed under the great leadership of Robert Klein, and in particular, highlighting the various areas of expertise practiced by individual galleries around the world, “said Mr. Bulger. “More than ever, collectors are looking for expert advice, and no other organization has the comprehensive knowledge base of AIPAD.”

New AIPAD Officers: AIPAD has elected new officers to serve with Stephen Bulger. Catherine Edelman of Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago, IL, will be First Vice President; Deborah Bell of Deborah Bell Photographs, New York, NY, will be Second Vice President; Jo Tartt of Tartt Gallery, Warrenton, VA, will be Secretary; and Kraige Block, Throckmorton Fine Art, New York, NY, will be Treasurer. Each will serve a two-year term commencing on January 1, 2009.

New AIPAD Board New members of the AIPAD Board of Directors include: David Barenholtz, David Gallery, Culver City, CA; Henry Feldstein, Forest Hills, NY; George Hemphill, Hemphill Fine Arts, Washington, DC; and Lisa Sette, Lisa Sette Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ. They will also serve two-year terms, effective on January 1, 2009.

New AIPAD Members Seven new AIPAD member galleries have been announced. They are: Andrea Meislin Gallery, New York, NY, specializing in contemporary work from emerging international artists; Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery, New York, NY, a dealer in new media and photography from emerging and established artists; Fifty One Fine Art Photography, Antwerp, Belgium, dealing in vintage, Modern, fashion, African work from established photographers of the 20th century, and contemporary work from young emerging photographers; Foley Gallery, New York, NY, specializing in photographers new to the contemporary art market; Janet Sirmon, Brooklyn, NY, dealing in 19th and 20th century photographs with an emphasis on Czech Modernism and American social documentary work; Sepia International Inc., New York, NY, specializing in photography that embraces personal vision, humanistic concerns, and the exploration of alternative photographic processes with a focus on innovative work from Asia; Galeria Vasari, Buenos Aires, Argentina, dealing in Modernism from Argentinean photographers of European origin from the era before or during WWll.

“We are pleased to welcome these important galleries to AIPAD,” said Mr. Klein. “They offer collectors an extraordinary level of expertise, connoisseurship and scholarship.”