SU partners with Syracuse Common Council to display photography in City Hall

SU partners with Syracuse Common Council to display photography in City HallJanuary 20, 2006Jaime Winne Alvarez jlwinne@syr.edu

Syracuse University and the Syracuse Common Council have partnered to establish a photography display,featuring works from Light Work, in the Common Council Chambers in City Hall, 233 E. Washington St.Organizers hope to rotate works in the display every four months, incorporating pieces by new artists. The first exhibition goes on view Jan. 23.

Karen Ventrone in SU’s Office of Government and Community Relations, Syracuse City Clerk John Copanas and Mary Lee Hodgens, program coordinator for Light Work, coordinated the display.

Photos that will be featured come from Light Work, a nonprofit photo and imaging center located at SU. Light Work offers the Central New York community access to state-of-the-art darkrooms and a digital imaging lab, as well as classes, workshops, lectures and seminars on photography.

The display is another stride in a long-term relationship between SU and the City of Syracuse. The project was initiated as an outcome of Chancellor Nancy Cantor’s vision to extend the University into the community, creating strong relationships between SU and the city and the Central New York community.

“Syracuse University is thrilled to be partnering with the City of Syracuse on this mutually beneficial project,” says Ventrone. “Not only will the Common Council Chambers host a regular rotation of unique, local photography, but the University will be able to help increase exposure for these artists.”

Syracuse Common Councilor Bill Ryan, majority leader, adds “the photography will only enhance the already beautiful historical ambience of the chambers.”

Works in the first exhibition include a series of enlarged images from photographers Luke Buffenmyer and Gary Walts, and a collection of images from the Light Work collection. Buffenmyer was a recipient of a 2005 Light Work Grant. Walts is a photojournalist at The Post-Standard and recipient of Light Work’s Director’s Choice Award. Photos from the Light Work Collection are images created at the New York State Fair by artists who participated in Light Work’s artist-in-residence program during the month of August.

“We are very excited to have this opportunity to extend our exhibitions to a wider audience and to make more people in Central New York aware of Light Work’s international reputation and influence on contemporary art and photography, ” says Hodgens. “Hopefully, visitors to the Common Council Chambers will be inspired to make the short trip over to Light Work to see more photography or sign up for a class or workshop.”

The Common Council Chambers are open to the public during all public meetings of the Common Council, Planning Commission and Preservation Board, and whenever City Hall group tours are given. There is no admission charge for viewing the work.

For more information, contact Karen Ventrone in SU’s Office of Government and Community Relations at (315) 443-3919 or City Clerk John Copanas at (315) 448-8218.