On May 17th, 2011 the 20×24 Studio was proud to participate in the annual benefit auction for Free Arts NYC. Continuing a ten year old tradition, the studio offered portraits by photographer Myrna Suarez to guests making special donations. In addition a silent and live auction was held offering artworks by prominent artists from all over the world.
Free Arts NYC programs inspire children to re-imagine their worlds and transform their lives through the creative arts. With the help of dedicated and caring volunteer mentors, Free Arts NYC delivers creative arts programs directly to low income, homeless, abused and neglected children. They partner with group homes, shelters, schools and community centers to give children the opportunity to express themselves in a supportive environment in order to develop communication and trust. Their programs and the relationships they foster help children and families experience new levels of hope and creativity. Free Arts NYC volunteers and facilitators give all of the children and families they work with a high level of personal attention. Their volunteer to child ratio is often 1:1 and, at most, 1:3. They are able to reach these ratios without exorbitant expense because of their unique volunteer model. Since 1998, founding Director Liz Hopfan has taken the nonprofit from a budget of $100,000 to over $2,000,000. Free Arts NYC volunteers have now served over 24,000 children and families. Learn more about Free Arts at www.freeartsnyc.org.
We are pleased to announce a new series titled “In a 20×24 Minute”, moments from the history of 20×24 instant imaging as well as recent projects with the cameras. The 20×24 project’s history runs deep with artists such as Chuck Close, Mary Ellen Mark, William Wegman, David Levinthal, Andy Warhol, Julien Schnabel and many more. While the history is rich, the future is even more exciting as 20×24 Holdings is building 2 new cameras and planning projects to bring 20×24 instant imaging to new artists around the world.
Later this spring, Panopticon Gallery will be hosting a special Polaroid-themed exhibition called “Instant Connections”, co-curated by Independent Curator, Photographer, Advertising extraordinaire and former Executive Director of the Photographic Resource Center Jim Fitts.
One of the most anticipated films for 2010 was the Coen brothers new version of “True Grit”,written by Charles Portis in 1968 and first filmed with John Wayne in 1969, which won him an Oscar. The 20×24 studio travelled to Austin, Texas in May of last year with Mary Ellen Mark and her staff to photograph the cast members with this fabled camera. Over the course of several days cast members Jeff Bridges, Mat Damon and Hailee Steinfeld visited the 20×24 set when filming allowed. Jeff Bridges, a photographer in his own right was fascinated with the camera and even managed to bring his daughter in for an impromptu family portrait. To read more about the film, check out the article in New York Magazine. Many thanks to Mary Ellen Mark, Paramount Pictures and New York Magazine.
Join artists Rada Dada and Jennifer Trausch as they demonstrate some not often seen techniques in 20×24 photography. In collaboration with the Levi’s Photo Workshop and the Impossible Project, Jennifer and Max present an afternoon of unusual artistic technique with the legendary 20×24 Camera. With expired materials, mismatched components and multiple printing, the artists demonstrate the breadth of possibilities of large format instant photography.
