Photography Discussion, Workshop

The Cattaraugus County Arts Council is co-sponsor of “Photo Alchemy,” a free photography presentation and alternative darkroom process workshop by Joe Lewis. Mr. Lewis, with special guest Ivan Dalla Tana, will discuss and show their most recent photographic work and then lead a free hands-on black and white alternative process workshop. No experience is necessary and participants will help produce original photographs with Mr. Lewis and Mr. Dalla Tana. The workshop takes place on Tuesday, March 3 at 6:30 pm in the third floor education classroom of the Regina Quick Center for the Arts at St. Bonaventure University. Please contact the Cattaraugus County Arts Council at 372-7455 or artscouncil@verizon.net if you’d like to attend so that enough supplies can be prepared. Drop in participants will be welcome.

Mr. Lewis, Dean of Alfred University’s School of Art and Design, will discuss the multi-step process that he uses that incorporates digital and chemical manipulation of silver-based photo materials. This process produces works that shimmer with unexpected tones, textures, and color. Mr. Lewis’ photographic work resonates with abstract suggestions, shapes, and image fragments imbued with layers of allusions, oftentimes to contemporary social issues including the environment, global economics, and race and representation.

Mr. Lewis will feature special guest, Ivan Dalla Tana, as a co-presenter for the evening. Mr. Dalla Tana’s work is in collections throughout the world and he is best known for his darkroom experimentation. His photographic work is derived from linear and non-linear narrative performance works and the graphic novel. He applies painterly strategies and gestural manipulation of the black and white photo process. Mr. Dalla Tana is founder of the Darkroom Project in Milan, Italy, and this visit represents the first time in fifteen years that his work will be exhibited in the United States.

Mr. Lewis is a 2008 Artists’ Fellowship recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA). This presentation is co-sponsored by Artists & Audiences Exchange, a public program of NYFA.


The Cattaraugus County Arts Council provided the photo of Ivan Dalla Tana (left) and Joe Lewis (right).