Stone Soup Photography Project

HI! Thanks for taking the time to read this! For the past 2 years, I have been working alongside  three  inspiring local artists and activists to get a community photography project and darkroom off the ground here in Worcester, Ma. We have all the equipment AND all the energy and enthusiasm needed for the project.  Unfortunately, we have been paying rent on an empty room for nearly 2 years after trying and failing to raise money to cover the high cost of plumbing expenses necessary to make the darkroom safe and efficient. we need running water in our basement space for print washing, chemical disposal, and eye washing stations. Our basement neighbors Earn-a-bike and the Graphics Shop also need plumbing to make what they do better too!  To date, we have unfortunately not successfully secured grant money because it's tricky to secure money for this type of capital expeditures. As the holiday season is upon us, I ask nothing more than you read the summary of the proposed project below and make a contribution if you feel inspired by it. And, to my friends and family who are considering getting me a Christmas present: this is definitely it! THANK YOU.

A little bit about the project:
The Photography Project is a community darkroom currently under construction and will be located at the Stone Soup Artist Activist Collective and Community Center in the low income, racially and ethnically diverse Main South neighborhood in Worcester. It will be open on a membership basis to the public, including local residents, neighborhood youth and children of local schools, as well as artists seeking darkroom space. The Photography Project will also offer educational photography classes and workshops for community members and youth in collaboration with local schools and programs. Use of the darkroom will be restricted to members and individuals enrolled in one of our classes and workshops. Membership includes dues on a sliding scale fee of $5-25month, or work trade (no one will be turned away for lack of ability to pay dues), and an orientation. Members and class and workshop participants may display their work at Stone Soup, and there will be quarterly 'art openings' in Stone Soup’s gallery.

A little bit about Stone Soup:
Stone Soup is a volunteer run organization that brings together various Worcester leadership development and organizing groups doing social, environmental and economic justice work in the city. Stone Soup evolved out of the Worcester Artist Alliance in 2002 and incorporated as a non-profit in July of 2006, and acquired the building at 4 King Street later that same year. Unfortunately in March of 2009, Stone Soup experienced a devastating electrical fire and underwent an extensive rebuild, reopening its doors in December 2013. Before the fire, Stone Soup boasted a printmaking studio, graphics shop, art gallery, arts and crafts space, band practice space, 2 community kitchens, and a lending library. Anchor members of Stone Soup currently include Earn-a-bike, Worcester Roots Project, EPOCA, Future Focus Media, Stand Up For Kids, and the ACLU.Stone Soup provides a safe space and educational programs for inner city, low-income youth in the Main South neighborhood, including bike building and repair, graphic design, community gardening, organizing, and business leadership. The addition of a darkroom and photography classes will enhance the mission for providing a safe and engaging space for local residents and neighborhood youth and expand the potential for Stone Soup to be a positive space for creative outlet and expression.

Check out the website!
http://www.stonesoupworcester.org/stone-soup-mission/