Center for Photography at Woodstock
The Center for Photography at Woodstock (CPW) is a not-for-profit artist-centered organization to develop and promote contemporary photography, located in Woodstock, New York. It began operations in 1977 under the name Catskill Center for Photography. The center offers various programs from exhibitions and workshops to artist residencies and access to professional workspace.
History
The Center for Photography at Woodstock, originally called the Catskill Center for Photography, was founded in 1977 as a non-for-profit organization to provide support to artists working in the photographic arts.[1] Howard Greenberg and Michael Feinberg, the original founders, created the photo center due to the lack of support for photographers in the area. Since the start of CPW, the center has offered workshops, exhibitions, and a black and white darkroom.[2]
Today, CPW offers direct support to artists through a variety of programs, such as artist residencies, fellowships, workshops, exhibitions, and state-of-the-art digital and darkroom facilities.[3] Through these various programs and a rapidly changing art world, CPW constantly raises awareness as well as challenges and questions the current movement of contemporary photography.[4] CPW inhabits its own permanent print collection and a library containing over 1,500 artist books.[2]
Exhibitions
Program history
Since 1977 CPW has presented over 500 exhibitions. CPW currently presents 6 - 8 exhibitions annually including curated group and solo exhibitions and the annual Photography Now juried show.[5] The exhibitions are free and open to the public, reaching out to anyone in the community who has a passion and interest in the photographic arts.[2]
There are several ways for artists to get their work exhibited. There are general submission reviews, portfolio reviews, and an annual juried show, Photography Now.[6] CPW participates in NYC portfolio reviews as well as in the national SPE conference. Members have access to a free portfolio review with CPW's staff.[7]
Workshop and lecture series
Program history
The core of CPW's educational programs are the Woodstock Photography Workshops, which allow artists to explore and focus on specific topics in an intimate and personal setting.[8] Beginning in 1978, the workshops range on topics, skills, and age level, from learning about antiquated photographic processes to expanding ones smartphone photography. There are select workshops where instructors will also give a lecture that is open to the public.[5]
Notable instructors
Throughout its history CPW has brought in many notable artists and educators to lead workshops including most recently Sam Abell, Craig J Barber, Dawoud Bey, Elinor Carucci, Ron Haviv, Christopher James, Ed Kashi, Bobbi Lane, Mary Ellen Mark, along with many others.[2]
Woodstock A-I-R program
Program history
The Artist in Residency program was established in 1999, and has provided services for nearly 100 artists and is named one of the top 20 artist residencies the country by Artinfo.[9] The Woodstock A-I-R Program was created to support artists of color working in photography.[10] The program provides full use of CPW's facilities, support, and time. Participants receive honorarium, housing, food and travel stipend, and significantly reduced rates on materials.[9]
Artist workspace / NYSAWC
Ranging from 3–6 weeks the residency program allows for artists to focus solely on their artwork and take a break from everyday life.[2] The residency includes a food and travel stipend, honorarium, house accommodations, 24/7 access to the facilities, and exhibition opportunities.[2] CPW was invited to participate in the New York State Artist Workspace Consortium in 2004 and contributed to NYSAWC efforts to define the field of artist workspace residencies.[11] Other members included were the Carriage House Workspace at the Islip Art Museum, Lower East Side Printshop, Sculpture Space, Smack Mellon, Socrates Sculpture Park, and Women's Studio Workshop.[12]
Notable residents
Artists
- William Cordova
- LaToya Ruby Frazier[13]
- Nikita Gale
- Nydia Blas
- Tommy Kha
- Alma Leiva
- Xaviera Simmons
Critical studies
- Emilie Boone
- Nicole Caruth
- Liz Park
- crystal a.m. nelson
Permanent print collection
History
Beginning in 1980, CPW has collected over 1,750 prints, videos, and photo-based works. Artists include participants in CPW's programs such as Woodstock A-I-R and Exhibitions. Many of the works have been donated by artists and private donors. In addition, CPW has purchased a work by an artist featured in its annual Photography Now exhibition since 2001.[7] Recipients of CPW's Photographer's Fellowship Fund and WOODSTOCK A-I-R are required to contribute a sample of their completed work to the collection which serves as an archive of CPW's program activities.[10]
Key works
Dorsky partnership
The permanent print collection has been on held on extended loan at the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art (SDMA) since 1995.[16] The SDMA has been opened since 2000 and is one of the largest art museums within the SUNY system, with over 17,000 square feet. SDMA is a vital resource to the community in showing historical and contemporary art and has their own permanent collection including over 5,000 works.[17] The museum periodically mounts exhibitions culled from CPW's collection including:
Photography Quarterly
Photography Quarterly, created in 1979 by the original founders, began as a black and white brochure, aimed to spread ideas and awareness about fine art photography beyond Woodstock.[22] The publication evolved into a full color, 60-page spread magazine featuring exhibitions, curatorial essays, and artist portfolios.[2] PQ was last published in 2009.
Photographers’ Fellowship fund
Program history
The Fellowship fund began in 1980 and has given over $77,000 to 87 regional artists. When the fund began it was initially awarded to two artists who received $1,000 each.[23] Now the fund is awarded to one artist a year who receives $2,500. The awarded fellow is required to donate a work to CPW's Permanent Print Collection.[2]
Notable recipients
- Craig J. Barber
- Lucinda Devlin
- Isaac Diggs
- Kenro Izu
- Tanya Marcuse
- Andrea Modica
Services for artists
Workspace
The Center for Photography at Woodstock is equipped with state of the art digital lab, darkroom, and library.[2]
Digital Kitchen
Established in 2007. The Digital Kitchen is a community workspace utilized by area artists, CPW's workshops, and artists-in-residence.[24] A Lab Manager provides technical support and mentors users.
Darkroom
The Darkroom is equipped for black-and-white film processing and printing. Staff provide support and mentors users.[24]
Library
The Library includes over 1,500 monographs, exhibition catalogs, texts, and periodicals and is open to the public.[2] This library is one of the most extensive photographic collections in the region including monographs, exhibition catalogs, critical texts, and publications including Aperture, Art Papers, Nueva Luz, PQ and Blindspot.
Recent additions have been made such as, Brian Ulrich's Is This Place Great or What?, Robert Adams’ The Place We Live, Michal Chelbin's The Black Eye, and Diego Uchitel's Polaroids.
Photographer’s Salon
The photographers’ Salon is a critic group that meets once a month and is run by Richard Edelman and Carlos Loret de Mola.[25] The Salon was previously run by Lilo Raymond and Dan McCormack in the 70's and 80's and then led by Harriet Tannin and Levi Cruz in the 90's. The Salon allows artists to gain new and insightful perspective from other artists in the area and gives them a chance to give and receive useful feedback.[24]
Membership
There are several levels of membership at CPW: basic, advanced, student, senior, friend/family, and patron. Memberships provide support for the organization, and each is given specific benefits.
Board of directors
The Board currently consists of 13 elected members who give support to CPW and play an active role in the organization's affairs.
- Howard Greenberg – Founder, Chair
- Stan Sagner – President
- Barry Mayo – Vice President
- Clinton Cargill – Treasurer
- Jesse Blatt – Secretary
- Alex Davis
- Michael Knauth
- Aaron Rezny
- Jed Root
- Tevis Trower
- William Van Roden
- Steven Wechsler
- Andy Young
(as of June 2018)
Notable funding contributors
- Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
- Edith & Phillip Leonian Foundation
- New York State Council on the Arts
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Thompson Family Foundation
- Milton & Sally Avery Arts Foundation
References
- Jeremy, Wilber. "Woodstock NY Colony of the Arts". woodstockny.org. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "The Center for Photography at Woodstock Spotlight". www.lucieawards.com. Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "The Center for Photography at Woodstock". www.idealist.org. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- Ogust, Dion (January 2010). Artman, Deborah (ed.). Landscape Forever (1 ed.). Albany, NY: New York Press & Graphics. pp. Inside of back cover.
"We achieve these goals by providing offerings in education, exhibition, publication, residencies, and services for artists, which enhance dialogue, encourage inquiry in and through contemporary photography and related media, and bring together a culturally diverse community in an innovative environment.
- "Center for Photography at Woodstock". mvswanson.com/. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- Woods, Lynn. "Photography NOW 2014 & One Hundred Count exhibitions open this Saturday in Woodstock". www.hudsonvalleyalmanacweekly.com/. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "The Center for Photography at Woodstock". mvswanson.com/. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "Workshop Directory: Center for Photography at Woodstock". www.pfmagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2015-03-12. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- Martinez, Alanna; Wyma, Chloe. "A Guide to 20 Top Artist Residencies and Retreats Across the United States". www.blouinartinfo.com/. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- Walker, David. "Anatomy of a Successful Grant Application: Center for Photograph at Woodstock's Artist in Residency Program". digitalmag.pdnonline.com/. PDN. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- Espaldon, Diane V. (2005). The Artist Workspace Residency A guide for Artists. Lithography by Design. p. 4.
- Espaldon, Diane V (2010). Engaging Artists the Role of Artists Workspaces in Creating New Work and Dialogue. New York: Lithography by Design. pp. 29–30.
- Walker, David. "Anatomy of a Successful Grant Application: Center for Photography at Woodstock's Artist in Residency Program". digitalmag.pdnonline.com/. p. 1. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
Past residents include several photographers who have built successful careers, including LaToya Ruby Frazier
- "The Jean Gaede and Fritzi Striebel Archive of the Center for Photography at Woodstock". www.newpaltz.edu. The Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- "The Jean Gaede and Fritzi Striebel Archive Jean Gaede and Fritzi Striebel". www.newpaltz.edu. Archived from the original on 14 February 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
- "Photography". www.newpaltz.edu/. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "Mission". www.newpaltz.edu. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "Past Exhibition". www.newpaltz.edu. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "Past Exhibitions". www.newpaltz.edu. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- Lewis, Sarah. Belasco, Daniel (ed.). Race, Love, Labor: New Works from the Center for Photography at Woodstock's Artist-in-Residency Program. New Paltz New York: Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art. ISBN 978-0-615-86104-3.
- "Race, love, and labor: new work from the center for photography at woodstock's artist-in-residency program". www.newpaltz.edu. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "Photography Quarterly – Center for Photography at Woodstock". PhotoWings. Archived from the original on 8 May 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "Artist Opportunities". www.artsmidhudson.org/. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- "Make Art in the Hudson Valley". www.makearthere.com/. Archived from the original on 18 February 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
- Mola, Carlos Loret de. "About". www.carlosloretdemola.com/. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
External links
- Official website
- CPW's Flickr Page
- Light Box review of The Space Between: Redefining the Public and Personal in Smartphone Photography
- Photo Booth review of The Space Between
- CPW's A-I-R exhibition at the Dorsky Race, Love, and Labor
- PDN article about the WOODSTOCK A-I-R Program
- CPW's Spot Light Lucie Award film
- APhoto interview with Director Ariel Shanberg
- Art Daily Review of Sara Macel's Show
- Dorsky's Partnership with CPW
- Information about CPW's Programs
- Hudson Valley Alamanac review of the 2014 Photography Now show