Hometown Anthems
Local Photographer and Filmmaker Debuts Exhibition
By Julia Jimoh
The Thunder Bay Art Gallery will host the debut exhibition of local photographer and filmmaker Laura-Lynn Petrick, Hometown Anthems, running until June 8. The show will focus on highlighting Petrick’s experiences growing up in the rural outskirts of Thunder Bay, and provide a behind-the-scenes look at her family traditions and country life, blending her Finnish roots with the unique aspects of life in Northwestern Ontario.
“Being a photographer in our modern day is about documenting it all, from the daily chores to off-grid trips, avoiding the filters,” Petrick says. “You have to have your camera with you at all times, because you never know what you’re going to see. Photography is like magic. I want people to experience the cold, the heat, the wind on your face, the smell of the lake, when they look at this series.”
Petrick has been practicing her art for 20 years. As a teenager, she was lucky to be surrounded by creative and inspiring individuals who had been attracted to the cinematic elements of Thunder Bay, and she began documenting their lifestyle in the mid-2000s. She drew inspiration from the early nonchalant approach to the internet—a time when high-spirited personalities and unfiltered social identities were bold and reflected life without hesitation. “I’ve been documenting my life and the people around me for as long as I can remember,” she says. “No matter where I go, Thunder Bay is where I feel most inspired and do most of my work.”
Petrick has been in contact with Penelope Smart, the curator of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, for three years, since Smart discovered her work online. They both believed that now was the ideal time to move forward with the exhibition. All the photographs in this exhibition are taken on film, varying in medium from 120mm to 35mm film (medium format) to Super 8 film (motion picture film), utilizing an assortment of different antique cameras from the 1950s and 1980s. The photos were selected from a large collection of her documentation of Northwestern Ontario, covering the years 2006 to 2025. Petrick and Smart spent several months working together, selecting their favourites and composing the series that will be presented.
“There’s a lot of natural work; however, we decided to combine it with some more personal documentary style images of my family and daily life,” Petrick says. “We leaned into more of a personal approach, to provide more of a diary-like vibe. I’m very proud of it.”
Since beginning her photography journey in 2005, Petrick has always focused on the physicality and tactical process. It took her several years to learn the math of film photography and to figure out the right exposures for her photographs. But, despite the challenges, she has learned to trust the process. Although she appreciates the advancements of digital photography, especially when working on professional projects, she feels it lacks a personal touch. The instant gratification it offers can take away from the moment, a crucial aspect of her work.
“A lot of photography for me is about being patient, being in that moment with whoever you’re with, whether it be nature or another human being,” Petrick says. “I’m always observing, waiting for the ‘magic’ moments to appear, and if you’re patient, they’re everywhere. I hope you see this in the show.”
Petrick’s work is displayed across several online platforms, including her website, lauralynnpetrick.com. For more information about the exhibition, visit theag.ca.