Fun Times in a Dark Room

I'm so tickled today, kids!

I just read that some folks are trying to establish a co-operative photographic darkroom in my neighborhood.

I've been chatting about getting together a group of folks for an old-school pin-hole camera day...

There's more info here and these are the early ideas about the space:

The Darkroom

Our Mission Statement: The Darkroom is a co-operative of fine art photographers inspired to preserve the quality of a traditional art form. Through combining the darkroom with the gallery space, we provide a venue for the artistic community to explore and execute their creative ideas from beginning (conception) to end (wall space/gallery show). As a co-operative (like minded group of artists) we will provide an artistic presence thereby (that will) enriching the community around us.

We know that there are other people in the St. Louis area that are as passionate about "fine art" photography.

So…we are going to blend a photographic cooperative and Shaw's Gallery into a place where people can come together, produce work and view fine art.

This is what we will have to offer any photographer at 1818 Thurman directly behind Shaw's gallery.

-- A shooting studio 30x40 12ft ceilings with nice natural light (in the future).
-- Film loading room for 4x5 and 8x10.
-- Film process room with film dryer, distilled water machine, temp controlled water.
-- Four enlarger work stations, 35mm to 8x10.
-- A 29ft sink for B&W processing up to 39x49 prints, temp controlled water.
-- Final print wash / print viewing sink with temp controlled water.
-- Dry mount press with all the tools to frame your final print.
-- Shaw's Gallery to show and sell your fine prints.

Do you get it? This can be a kind of a one stop for photographers that would like to take it one step further.

-- You expose your film in the field or in the studio.
-- Process your film in the darkroom.
-- Enlarge your prints in the darkroom.
-- Mount and frame your prints in the shop.
-- Then show your "fine prints" at Shaw's Gallery.

We would like to assemble ten to twenty people that would like to share their photographic knowledge and experiences together in one of the best photo collectives in the Midwest .