An artist-run, non-profit photography and digital media center
Supporting artists since 1973
Supporting artists since 1973
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Light Work staff holding the 1998 staff photo from the 25th Anniversary, 2008
Co-founders Phil Block and Tom Bryan, c.1973
Light Work was founded in 1973 by a group of artists who came together to create a facility to provide community access to photographic lab equipment and to expand the dialogue of photography as an art, science, and medium of social change. The combination of the need for access to equipment, education, and dialogue resulted in the formation of Light Work under the leadership of Phil Block and Tom Bryan.
Light Work's core facility is Community Darkrooms, a public access photography and digital imaging lab. Through the operation of this facility, Light Work grew into a program to support artists in the production of new work, and to disseminate the work of artists through its exhibitions and publications. Community Darkrooms continues to provide artists with affordable access to equipment that is often not available to them otherwise.
By 1976, Light Work established its Artist-in-Residence Program, formulated an exhibition series, began the Light Work Collection, and published the first issue of Contact Sheet. The visual journal was started in a newsletter format and later evolved into today’s beautiful publication in catalogue format. Same as in 1976, the publication still features work by artists who have participated in our Artist-in-Residence and exhibition programs.
In 1985, Light Work opened the Robert B. Menschel Photography Gallery located in Syracuse University's Schine Student Center and began publishing catalogues to accompany the exhibitions.
On May 10, 2001, Light Work dedicated its new facility in the Robert B. Menschel Media Center at Syracuse University. This new facility more than doubled Light Work’s space to over ten thousand square feet. The new space includes state-of-the-art photography and computer facilities, generous galleries, and a finely crafted environment to ensure that all programs of supporting artists working in photography and digital media would be able to meet and even surpass the needs of the many audiences we serve both locally and around the world.
Light Work/Community Darkrooms has undergone multiple smaller renovations to keep pace with the changing needs of its artists. Most recently it doubled the space allocated to digital imaging and printing by removing its Hope color processor. In keeping with the tradition in which it was founded, Light Work continues to be artist-run. It now has seven full-time staff members.
