My MIX article

The above picture is an image of my article from "The Mix," a special supplement of the Syracuse "Post-Standard." (Read the article at the bottom of this post, OR click on the above image to open in new window and then click lower right-hand corner to zoom.)
Beneath is a picture of the cover which I also designed. The cover incorporates images from the other articles in "The Mix," all written by members of the Goldring Arts Journalism Program, a master's degree program at the Newhouse School of Syracuse University which trains aspiring journalists how to write about the arts.




















The largest photo in this cover, the dancing picture, is one that I took for fellow student at a dance class. See the full image below.



In an unassuming building at the edge of the Syracuse University campus stands the nationally renowned contemporary photography gallery, Light Work. Since its inception in 1973, Light Work has not only been home to a gallery that draws artists and audiences the world over, but also a state-of-the-art community access photography facility, Community Darkrooms.

The approximately 350 members of Community Darkrooms range from hobbyists to professional photographers. Memberships are available at an affordable rate to the general public and Syracuse University students and card-holders. Members have access to all of the equipment in Community Darkrooms; only printing and classes incur extra costs.

While the facility itself is undeniably impressive – Community Darkrooms offers both a color and a black and white darkroom, a digital manipulation and printing lab complete with Mac G5 computers and Epson pigment printers, a large studio room with professional lighting kits, and a variety of courses and seminars – it is the community environment that serves to benefit the members most of all.

“When we say community darkroom, the accent is on community,” said Dale Pierce, a professional photographer and 15-year member. “We have a passion that we share together and we support each other so much.” Pierce not only uses the darkroom to create his own artwork, but also teaches classes at Community Darkrooms.

Since taking his first photography course at Community Darkrooms in 1991, Pierce has exhibited his artwork at several well-established galleries and has published his photographs in various trade magazines.

Currently, Pierce is working on a new photographic process he developed and calls “photo montage.” Pierce begins the process by photographing models in the studio, working only in black and white traditional photography. Each photograph is then printed in two different exposures both of which are cut into approximately one inch strips. He then weaves the strips together to create one image and re-photographs it. The final effect is a multi-layered look that gives the photograph added depth, allowing it to nearly jump off the page at the viewer.

Two-year member Tracey Gotham, 47, began taking photography courses a few years ago as a hobby, but soon realized it could become a lot more. “It’s a passion,” she said. “It’s cathartic, cleansing and therapeutic. You learn a lot about yourself.”

Gotham recently won best-in-show in the annual competition, “On My Own Time,” a local juried arts competition cosponsored by the Cultural Resources Council of Syracuse and Onondaga County and the Everson Museum of Art meant to demonstrate the artistic ability of employees from local businesses.

Her winning photograph, to be displayed at the Everson Museum of Art in October, is a candid shot of a 12-year-old girl in a cornfield, holding several stalks of corn in her arms. Gotham explained that the girl was insecure at first about being photographed, but, Gotham said, “She was very proud of [the photograph] when she saw it.”

A variety of classes are also offered at Community Darkrooms for those who wish to learn photography. Anna Vaivoda, 19, a student at Johns Hopkins University and Skaneateles resident, recently took the intermediate black and white course. “I am by no means an expert,” she said, “but they help with the fine tuning. It is a small class so there is lots of one-on-one time with the professor.”

In October Community Darkrooms will offer free seminars to the public. There will be an introductory darkroom seminar the first Saturday of every month, and on the second Saturday of each month, they will offer free seminars in iLife – Apple software for editing photographs, video and music. “It is a great place to start for those who are beginners,” said Vernon Burnett, Community Darkrooms manager. “You can have a web page up in two hours.”

Members of Community Darkrooms also benefit from the extraordinary artist-in-residence program offered through Light Work. Each year, the gallery invites between 12 and 15 artists to participate. The artists are given a stipend, an apartment in Syracuse provided by the gallery, and access to Community Darkrooms, including a private darkroom. The program has drawn many famous photographers including Carrie Mae Weems, Peter DeLory, Cindy Sherman, and most recently, Suzanne Opton.

“Even though the artists are given a private darkroom, they often interact with the members and students,” said Burnett, recognizing how beneficial the artist’s presence is to other members.

Member Dale Pierce had the opportunity to work alongside Suzanne Opton while she was in residency. “They’re very willing to spend time with the other artists,” he said. “They conduct mini-seminars with members and assist them. They are very accessible.”

Many of the darkroom’s members credit their artistic success to the reciprocal learning effect the community environment creates. “A lot of lasting friendships are formed here,” Gotham said. “We all came here with the desire, but we didn’t have the tools to work with.”

More information about Community Darkrooms, including hours, class descriptions, schedules, registration forms and membership information can be found on their website at http://www.communitydarkrooms.com.