Photography Workshops at Penland
Penland offers 1 to 8-week workshops taught by visiting instructors in our well-equipped studios. Class topics include traditional and digital photography, darkroom processes, portrait photography, documentary video, lighting composition, narrative photography, and more. Workshops are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.
Register for Workshops
Workshops are open to serious students of all levels unless specified in course description; beginners welcome.
Summer scholarship information; summer scholarship application deadline is February 15.
Please read this note about our session schedules.
PHOTO FALL SHORT SESSION
SEPTEMBER 24 – 29, 2023 (four studio days)
Dan Estabrook
The Handmade Negative
This short session will introduce two methods for making photographic negatives, both of which predate the advent of film: the calotype paper negative and the wet-plate collodion glass negative. Working with raw chemistry and simple materials, students will make photographic negatives suitable for printing with almost any process. While we work, we’ll discuss the history and syntax of each process: how the method for making the negative affects the images created with it. Bring your own props and costumes if you wish, or venture out into the beautiful North Carolina landscape. Cameras will be available in the studio. All levels.
Studio artist, visiting assistant professor at Pratt Institute (NYC), frequent Penland instructor since 1994; exhibitions: Catherine Edelman Gallery (Chicago), Daniel Cooney Gallery (NYC), Wilson Museum (VA), Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art (SC); recent projects include a handmade artist book project in collaboration with Nathan Carter, published by Threestart Books (Paris).
Regular enrollment will begin on May 1.
PHOTO FALL WEEKEND SESSION
October 20–22, 2023
Betsy DeWitt
Chemistry and Cloth
This workshop will meld the worlds of photography and textiles by using the cyanotype process to make prints on cloth. We’ll generate images using photograms (a cameraless process) and digital negatives, mix cyanotype chemistry, coat the fabric, then expose and develop our images. Once we have our blue beauties on fabric, we’ll cover simple sewing, embroidery, and fabric manipulation techniques to alter and embellish them. This workshop will give students a photo process and textile techniques they can practice in their own homes. All levels. Photography studio.
Former photo/drawing and painting studio coordinator at Penland; exhibitions: Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (NC), Asheville Area Arts Council (NC), Vermont Center for Photography, Soho Photo Gallery (NYC), Rebus Works (NC), Leeds Gallery at Earlham College (IN), St. Andrews Art Gallery (TN).
Enrollment for this workshop will begin on May 1.
