SF Camerawork, Nonprofit Photograph Gallery, to Shut

SF Camerawork introduced right now that it could shut after over 50 years in operation. The nonprofit arts house devoted to up to date images was based in 1974, and has served the Bay Area’s photographic group by exhibitions, publications, critique periods and occasions.

The gallery, which moved to Fort Mason Center in 2022, will stay open by Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026, for the ultimate days of its present exhibition, John Chiara’s Bay Panel.

“Despite the determined efforts of our staff, board, artists, donors and supporters to secure a sustainable future, we have reached the difficult conclusion that we can no longer continue operations,” stated an electronic mail from the board.

The solely present workers listed on the nonprofit’s web site is a gallery affiliate.

The electronic mail cites rising working prices, declining public funding and modifications to the “philanthropic landscape” which have affected arts organizations throughout the nation. Several different nonprofit arts areas in San Francisco, together with California College of the Arts and the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts have introduced their closure this yr.

SF Camerawork started as Lamkin Camerawork Gallery in Fairfax. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, its founder John Lamkin introduced the gallery to San Francisco and bought it to his gallery volunteers for $1. It grew to become a nonprofit in 1977. Photographers like Lew Thomas, Donna-Lee Phillips and Hal Fischer are related to the gallery’s early days — artists who had been increasing understandings of images as a conceptual software within the ’70s and ’80s.

Over the previous 5 a long time, SF Camerawork has championed photographers who’ve gone on to distinguished careers at essential early phases. Some of these artists embrace Allan Sekula, Uta Barth, Todd Hido, Meghann Riepenhoff, Jamil Hellu and plenty of others.

SF Camerawork’s present present is emblematic of the nonprofit’s assist for experimental photographic practices. Chiara’s Bay Panel is six separate framed photos, all distinctive constructive prints that Chiara makes with the assistance of huge hand-built cameras and a flatbed trailer.

Bay Panel was initially commissioned by the Pilara Family Foundation for an exhibition at Pier 24 — one other dearly departed free-to-visit images gallery.

Today’s announcement ended with a bittersweet observe of encouragement: “to photographers, those who have devoted their lives to the medium and those just beginning, keep creating. The dialogue that has shaped this community will endure through your vision, your collaborations, and the work yet to come.”