A Glimpse of
Light
A non-profit is changing the scope of artists’ achievements in the Syracuse area. By Daisy Polowetzky
L
ight streams through Kathleen O. Ellis Gallery, welcoming visitors to view the latest exhibitions of visual art on display. Walking through the lively halls of the photography non-profit, Light Work, viewers are moved by their community of creativity and collaboration. On a weekday afternoon, photographers can be found working in Light Work’s Community Access Lab, scanning and printing work with stateof-the-art equipment, or developing film in the darkroom. Light Work is nestled on Waverly Avenue behind Watson Hall, and is a vibrant hub for visual artists, students, and Syracuse residents alike. Here, the Syracuse visual arts community is quietly, but steadily growing. Photographers Phil Block and Tom Bryan founded Light Work in 1973 as an organization aimed at supporting emerging visual artists from under-represented backgrounds, according to Light Work’s website. It is located in the Robert B. Menschel Media Center at Syracuse University, and grew immensely throughout the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1970s, they established their Artist-in-Residence Program and released the first issue of the
5 | The Good Life Fall 2023
Contact Sheet, Light Work’s subscriptionbased print publication. It features work from various photographers. In 1979, a collection of Light Work artist photography began, and by the 1980s, it had greatly expanded and received numerous accolades, including the 1989 New York State Governor’s Award for Excellence. Light Work is now at the center of Syracuse’s visual arts community. Daniel Boardman is Light Work’s Director, and an instructor in the Film and Media Arts Department at Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). “[Light] [Work’s] really made Syracuse an important city in the art photo world because so many artists have come through and photographed the community here, and made new work in our studio,” Boardman explained. He describes his role, Light Work Director, as “doing a lot of everything.” “I oversee what happens but I also jump in to help at any point along the way,” Boardman
said, “so it keeps it pretty fun.” Syracuse University students, regardless of photography or visual arts skills, are welcome to walk in and take advantage of Light Work’s facilities. Boardman emphasizes that it is for everyone. In the studio and gallery, students have the opportunity to learn directly from visiting artists and are able to have one-on-one interactions with the artists. Lili Moreno, a junior art photography major at VPA, participates in work-study at Light Work where she can connect with artists. For Moreno, getting to talk to artists has been her favorite part of work-study. “I’ve talked to a few of the artists,” Moreno said. “Getting their thought process is really interesting and will usually inspire my own work, and my own thought process,” Moreno said. One unique aspect of Light Work is their Artist-in-Residence Program. The program aims to support under-represented and minority visual artists from around the world. It accepts 12 artists per year