Lucia Rollow, a photographer and graduate of SVA, started the Bushwick Community Darkroom in her basement after realizing the access to affordable darkroom services were far and few. Now over four years later, Bushwick Community Darkroom calls Flushing Ave’s The Loom its home and is set to move to a bigger space in Bushwick come this Spring.
Their new home, which will be on Troutman St., will be over 2,400 sq ft and have upgraded amenities from their current location, including four private darkrooms, a Colex RA4 color printer processor, a black and white gang darkroom with 8-10 individual stations, a large developing sink (3’x10′), lockers for members, drying & mounting facilities as well as a common space that will be used for exhibits, workshops and other educational programming. Basically, the upgraded BCD is any film photographer’s dream (cue Hilary Duff’s 2003 classic, “What Dream Are Made Of”).
“This type of thing was always a fantasy but never quite seemed realistic, so this is all a little shocking!” exclaims Lucia. Lucia started the Bushwick Community Darkroom in her apartment building’s basement after raising $1,500 through Kickstarter. Now some years later, Bushwick Community Darkroom will be even bigger and better than ever.
Over 60% funded with about 4 days to go, you can still head over to BCD’s crowdfunding campaign to donate and receive some great perks in return – such as 10 hours darkroom time ($80+ donation). In the meantime, we can expect the new darkroom to open up beginning of April and an official grand opening sometime in June or July, post Bushwick Open Studios.
Visit Bushwick Community Darkroom’s website or like them on Facebook to keep up to date.