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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 1, 2017)
BY BLAKE ANDREWS PLAYING IN THE DARK Eugene group seeks to resurrect a dark art or photographers who came of age during the film era, the expe- rience of seeing that very first image materialize in the develop- ing tray is remembered as magical or uncanny. That the miracle often occurred in an educational setting as a shared communal experience deepened the impact. Yes, community darkrooms left a fond residue in the mind as well as on the fingertips. But alas, their influence has faded. With photography’s transition from film to digital now mostly complete, community darkrooms have largely disappeared from the national landscape, Eugene included. And with that shift, an opportunity for shared experience has given way to privatized practice. Enter Eugene Darkroom Group, a consortium of film shooters dedi- cated to building a community darkroom here in town. EDG imagines the space as a center for printing, classes, and creative collaboration around film-based processes. After slowly taking form over a few years, the group’s pace has ac- celerated, and they are now applying for non-profit status. Where will the darkroom be and who will use it? Both questions remain unsettled. Former darkrooms at Dot Dotson’s and Maude Kerns Art Center have been floated as tentative sites. Group leaders have identified a local community of 30 to 35 amateur film shooters who would serve as the membership base. Final decisions remain to be made. At this point EDG is focused on raising the legal fees to incorporate as a nonprofit. Their first fun- draiser is 7 to 10 pm Saturday, June 3, at Sam Bond’s Foundry, 540 E. Eighth Avenue, where local film photography will be exhibited and offered for sale. EDG can also be contacted at eugenedarkroom@gmail.com and on Facebook at @eugdark. F Something For Everyone Eugene Weekly's Guide to Food & Restaurants June 26 - August 25 S M AM M CHOW L S HIL CHO SU summer K OL OA VISUAL ARTS ER PROG R Three Unique Programs Pre K - 12 Super Summer l oo ch S ill k H Oa For Gifted Learners k-7 A Wide range of classes including; Improve and Public Speaking, Math the Fun Way, Spanish, Myths for Our Times, Creativity is my Superpower, Make a Movie, Sorties of the World, Athenian Secrets, African Drumming, june 15, 2017 Animal Folklore, Beginning Ukulele, Cross Culture Communication, Fantastic Fiber Arts, Intro to Poetry, The Life Works of Frida Kahlo, Telling your Story, Animal Exploration with Clay, Introduction to Human AnatomyMake A Movie, and More! Call us to advertise 541-484-0519 Summer On The Hill Learning and recreational opportunities for all youth. K-12th grades Summer Enrichment Program A residential academic experience, for gifted students, located at the University of Oregon. 6-11th grades Memories To Last A Life Time Learn More & Register Now oakhillschool.com/summer 541-744-0954 eugeneweekly.com • June 1, 2017 75
