Syracuse University

Light Work announces 2010 artists-in-residence

Jessica Heckman
(315) 443-1300

Light Work has announced the 2010 participants in the artist-in-residence program. The program offers artists working in photography and related media a chance to spend one month working in Light Work’s state-of-the art darkroom and digital lab facility. Artists-in-residence for 2010 are Sama Alshaibi (Tucson, Ariz.), Dena Al-Adeeb (Long Beach, Calif.), Gerard Gaskin (Corona, N.Y.), Ayana Jackson (Orange, N.J)., Christian Patterson (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Simon Rowe (London), Lenard Smith (Brooklyn), Keliy Anderson-Staley (Astoria, N.Y.), Zoe Strauss (Philadelphia), Brian Ulrich (Chicago), Shen Wei (New York) and Susan Worsham (Richmond, Va.).

Each year, Light Work invites 12-15 artists to participate in the residency program. Each artist is invited to live in a furnished apartment in Syracuse for one month, with a private darkroom or digital studio to work in, and 24-hour access to the Light Work facility. Their work is also featured in Light Work’s journal Contact Sheet, which is an award-winning photography publication distributed throughout the United States and internationally. This opportunity is open to artists from all over the world.

Participating artists spend the month pursuing their own projects, whether they are photographing in the area, printing, preparing a book or portfolio, or working on some other creative goal. There are no obligations to teach at the Light Work facility, although it is always a hope that participants will be friendly and accessible to local artists. In return, each artist leaves Light Work with a few examples of the work made during their residency to add to the growing Light Work Collection.

Light Work’s newly renovated, color-managed digital imaging lab features Macintosh G5 workstations equipped with flatbed and film scanners, calibrated monitors and dimmable viewing stations. Artists-in-residence have access to high-end Imacon scanners, as well as private workspaces. Output includes two Epson 4880 archival printers, two 44-inch Epson 9900s (with matte black and photo black inksets), two 44-inch Epson 9800s (with matte black and photo black inksets), and one 44-inch Epson 9600. Artists use the latest versions of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat Pro, Premiere, After Effects) and Flash, Dreamweaver, Adobe Premiere, Apple Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro software packages. In addition, the Light Work lab facility can accommodate just about any black-and-white process, from alternative processes to mural printing.

The artist-in-residence program has no official application forms or deadlines. Applicants are required to submit a letter of intent, which generally describes the project or type of work they would like to do during the residency. They also must submit slides, proof prints or a CD of recent work, a resume, an artist statement and any other supporting material that may be helpful in evaluating the application.