Light Work facts for kids
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| Formation | 1973 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Phil Block and Tom Bryan |
| Type | Photography center |
| Headquarters | Menschel Media Center Syracuse University |
| Location | |
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Director
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Dan Boardman |
Light Work is a special place in Syracuse, New York, that helps photographers. It's a nonprofit group run by artists. They offer a digital lab, art programs, shows, and books to support creative people.
Contents
The Story of Light Work
Light Work is located at Syracuse University. It's inside the Robert B. Menschel Media Center. Phil Block and Tom Bryan started Light Work in 1973. Jeffrey Hoone led the organization for many years, starting in 1982. He retired in 2021.
Many groups help support Light Work's programs. These include the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts. Other supporters are Syracuse University and local people.
Light Work also works with other art groups. Some of these are Autograph ABP, the Community Folk Art Center, and the Everson Museum of Art. They all work together to share art with more people.
Programs for Artists
Light Work has several cool programs. These programs help photographers create new art and learn new skills.
Artists-in-Residence Program
This program started in 1976. Each year, about a dozen artists come to Syracuse. They get to work on new photo projects. Light Work gives them money, a place to stay, and help from staff. They also get to use all the facilities. In 2018, only about 1% of artists who applied were accepted.
New art made by these artists is shown in a special magazine. It's called Contact Sheet: The Light Work Annual. The magazine also includes an essay about their work. Light Work keeps some of the art made by these artists.
As of 2022[update], over 500 artists have been part of this program. They come from 16 different countries. Famous photographers like Cindy Sherman and Anthony Hernandez have been artists-in-residence.
Light Work Lab
The Light Work Lab is a place for members to work. It has a digital lab with printers and scanners. You can print your own photos there. There are also private studios and darkrooms for black-and-white photos. A lighting studio and a library are also available.
The Lab also offers classes and workshops. You can learn about darkroom photography or digital photo editing. They also teach skills for professional photographers.
Urban Video Project
The Urban Video Project (UVP) is a public art project. Light Work and Syracuse University run it together. It shows art and culture in Syracuse. UVP has a permanent outdoor screen. It also has a mobile projection unit.
One big screen projects images onto the Everson Museum of Art. The image is as big as an IMAX movie screen!
Art Shows and Exhibitions
Light Work has shown over 400 exhibitions since it began. Four new shows are put on each year in the Kathleen O. Ellis Gallery. There are also shows in the Hallway Gallery and the Community Darkrooms Gallery. The Robert B. Menschel Photography Gallery also hosts exhibitions.
Light Work often works with the Urban Video Project and the Everson Museum of Art. Sometimes, they even have shows in New York City.
The Light Work Collection
The Light Work Collection has more than 4,000 photographs. It also has other art objects.
The collection includes early works by artists who were part of the residency program. Artists like Cindy Sherman and John Gossage have their early photos here.
Contact Sheet Publication
Contact Sheet is a magazine published by Light Work. It features new work by artists from all over the world. It focuses on artists who are just starting or are in the middle of their careers.
Five issues are published each year. They are designed like special art books. They do not have any advertisements. Many important photographers, like Carrie Mae Weems, were featured in Contact Sheet early in their careers.
See also
In Spanish: Light Work para niños
