Minnesota Center for Photography Is Closed

Looks like yet another arts org here in the Twin Cities has imploded.

This is a huge blow to analog photography here in the Cities -- MNCP had one of only two publicly accessible darkrooms in the Cities. The other is at IFP-MN in St. Paul.

zenrhino said:

The other is at IFP-MN in St. Paul.

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Is that the old Film in the Cities with a new name/organization?

Lee

It was the old PARTS (Photographic Arts) center. MCP seemed to have been floundering for the last couple of years. MCP had great ideas but seemed to have trouble in execution. At some point MCP seemed to lose its way. PARTS had a vision promoting good photographic art. MCP seemed to give that vision up and started to focus on "edgy" social issues. My wife and I went from visiting MCP galleries 8 or 10 times a year to only twice this year. The reduction wasn’t due to social content (though it got redundant), much as poor artistic quality.

Lee L said:

Is that the old Film in the Cities with a new name/organization?

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That's correct. They're at University near 280 now, near Keys Cafe and Jimmy John's. (you can clearly see how I spend my 45 minute print washing time. )

zenrhino said:

That's correct. They're at University near 280 now, near Keys Cafe and Jimmy John's. (you can clearly see how I spend my 45 minute print washing time. )

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Thanks for the reply.

Sounded right. Took a still photo workshop there under the Film in the Cities name with Frank Gohlke. Is Jim Dozier (think that's the name) still there? That was 27 or 28 years ago, before I started working in commercial studios in Mpls and didn't have the time any more. I lived a couple of blocks over into Mpls just West of 280 off Como and 29th. Moved away in '86 but still have friends up there that I see from time to time.

I ate at Keys a couple of times, but our workshop assignments had us out and away from the facilities during the middle of the day. I may be confused just because of the name, but didn't Keys make a fine lime pie?

Lee

That is very sad news, indeed. I have been a member and have used their darkroom. They have (had) a really well-equipped and spacious darkroom at very reasonable rates. That's just really, really sad.

They also had the most active group of traditional photographers in the Twin Cities. They meet once a month. Saw some of my first modern Tin Types and a number of other alternative processes. It is a sad day indeed.

I do agree at some point the organization went away from the art of photography and went to issue photography. Not aas interesting and quite boring after the first viewing.