Conventional Wisdom


  • Photographer
    Arthur Drooker
  • Prize
    Honorable Mention
  • Company/Studios
    Glitterati

There are nearly two million convention each year in the United States, and each offers the opportunity for like-minded people to express themselves. Conventional Wisdom chronicles Arthur Drooker’s travels to the quirkiest of conventions, including gatherings for mermaids, Santas, and fetishists, and the expressions of community, culture, and connection. Venturing behind the scenes, Drooker goes deep into the heart of these zany subsets of American culture. His humorous and insightful text, including intimate interviews with attendees, complements the stunning photographs he took over a three-year period. From the ballrooms to the vendor rooms to the guest rooms, his camera captures the essence and exuberance of these annual gatherings. Conventional Wisdom proves that regardless of what they’re about, where they’re held, or who attends them, all conventions satisfy a basic human urge: a longing to belong. Those who share similar interests, come together to be themselves, while joining a larger community.

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