For 40 years, Light Work’s mission has been to support artists working in photography and related media. Concentrating our support on emerging and under recognized artists, we will continue to focus on our international Artist-in-Residence program, exhibitions, the publication of Contact Sheet, and operating a state-of-the-art community access photography and computer lab.

In order to strengthen our core goals we are in the process of reorganizing our staff to better serve the current and future needs of artists. Over the past year we have completely redesigned our website, www.lightwork.org, as a platform for publishing more work by artists in our programs, established a new graphic identity, and redesigned Contact Sheet. The new design of Contact Sheet will debut with the Light Work Annual issue this summer in honor of our 40th anniversary.

In the reorganization process Jeffrey Hoone continues in his role of Executive Director. Hoone has been in a leadership position at Light Work since 1980 and will concentrate on finance and fundraising, strategic planning, and participate in selecting artists for all Light Work programs. Reflecting on the reorganization Hoone says, “Light Work has always been an organization run by artists, for artists, and the changes we are making signal our continuing effort to respond to the changing needs of artists in order to put us in the best position to meet those needs.”

Shane Lavalette has been promoted to Director and will be responsible for all administrative, artistic, fundraising, and operational activities at Light Work. Lavalette was a former Artist-in-Residence at Light Work and in his previous position as Associate Director he led the process to redesign our website and establish our new graphic identity. “This year we are looking back to celebrate Light Work’s long history of supporting artists, yet it is also a time of excitement for what the future holds,” says Lavalette.

Mary Lee Hodgens has been promoted to Associate Director and will work on all technical and artistic operations including exhibitions, publications, and the Artist-in-Residence program. Hodgens is an eighteen-year veteran at Light Work and brings her considerable skills and institutional knowledge into a leadership position. “We are always changing to keep up with the artists and their needs. It’s exciting to be part of the process,” says Hodgens.

John Mannion, who has been with the organization for twelve years, has been promoted to the new position of Master Printer and will be responsible for setting the standards for digital printing and scanning services. He will be providing all pre-press work for Contact Sheet and will provide individual service to all visiting artists and prime digital service customers. “Working with over 150 artists personally has lead to a clear method and practice to make the best prints possible,” says Mannion. “I am happy to be able to provide more support to our artists.”

Anneka Herre will continue in her position of Technical Producer for the Urban Video Project. The UVP is Light Work’s newest program that presents ongoing public art video projections and exhibitions on the outside of the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse. Information about UVP’s activities can be found online at www.urbanvideoproject.com

Julie Herman, James Suits, and Andrew Frost continue in their role as part-time support staff for customer care, administrative operations, and digital services.

In order to further enhance our digital and traditional photo lab operations we are currently searching for a full-time Digital Services Manager and a full-time Photo Lab Manager. In addition we will be adding two part-time positions of Exhibition Coordinator and Communications Coordinator. Information about these job postings can be found online at http://lg.ht/LWHiring

We are very excited about all of these positive changes at Light Work and we will continue to keep you informed about our progress in future e-mail newsletters, on our blog, and through social media, so please stay tuned.