Waterworks dedicates darkroom

The Norvell family Ñ Edward, Mary Linn, Phillip and Susan Ñ pose for a photo at Waterworks Visual Arts Center. The family was recently honored for their gift of a darkroom to the center, given in honor of Susan Norvell's parents, Francis and Duard Linn. Submitted photo.

Susan and Mary Linn Norvell chat with Joshua Cross at a black tie coctail buffet to dedicate the Linn-Norvell Darkroom. Submitted photo.

Ted Goins, Tom Wolpert and Cheryl Goins enjoy the dedication of the new Linn-Norvell Darkroom at Waterworks Visual Arts Center. Submitted photo.

Patsy Rendleman, Claude Hampton and Barbara Setzer enjoy a party held at Waterworks Visual Arts Center in honor of the new Linn-Norvell Darkroom. Submitted photo.

Karen Alexander, Jackie Wilson and Luanne Short attended a celebration at Waterworks Visual Arts Center to dedicate the new Linn-Norvell Darkroom. Submitted photo.

Raymond Coltrain, Chip short, Kay Coltrain, and Edward Norvell were part of a celebration at Waterworks Visual Arts Center to dedicate the Linn-Norvell Darkroom. Submitted photo.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center hosted a black-tie cocktail buffet March 13 to dedicate the Linn-Norvell Darkroom and to honor Susan and Edward Norvell for their support. The darkroom was a gift in memory of Susan's parents, Francis and Duard Linn. In addition to family members, the Board of Directors, and the staff of the Waterworks, guests included members of the Waterworks Visual Arts Center Director's Circle.

Board President Tim Proper acknowledged Susan and Edward Norvell and their families for their long-term and continuous support of the Waterworks' mission. He recognized Karen Alexander of KKA Architecture for her efforts as the architect of the darkroom and Tom Bost and his son-in-law Jesse Part for their professional services in building the darkroom. Charles Goldman Photography, Ben Martin, Steve Norman Photography, Jenn Selby and Wayne Wrights provided gifts of darkroom equipment.

Executive Director Anne Scott Clement spoke of the many years the Norvell family supported the Waterworks. Susan and Edward's children participated in many of the children's studio classes throughout their youth, inspiring their creativity. Today, daughter Mary Linn Norvell is an extraordinary artisan who creates a beautiful line of one-of-a-kind jewelry, and son Phillip, who works in marketing in Wilmington, loved his grandfather Linn's darkroom and remains fascinated with photography today. Over two and a half years ago, after a photography exhibition, a conversation with Susan and Edward arose about need for a community darkroom. Joshua Cross, Ben Martin, Jenn Gardner Selby and Wayne Wrights — all professional photographers — joined in, and after much detailed research, the darkroom began to become a reality.

Photography classes will begin soon in the Linn-Norvell Darkroom for adults and children interested in learning to develop their own photographs. Waterworks is in the planning process for a middle school photography residency this summer to teach and inspire twenty young people. Clement noted that Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and the Waterworks are working on a possible partnership to create a curriculum study in photography at the Waterworks.

The darkroom provides a hands-on active learning environment where the craft of traditional photographic processes is preserved and combined with current digital technology to develop new media processes that produce tactile, one-of-a-kind artworks. Photography classes introduce students to the fundamentals of traditional film photography and traditional black and white darkroom processes. This enables students to explore properties of light, learn value studies, manipulate contrast and brightness, learn about composition and explore experimental hand-printing techniques. With state-of- the-art equipment students will learn how to properly develop film and print enlargements. Students will be able to unify digital photographic technology with traditional darkroom techniques by enlarging and printing from digital negatives.

Clement said the board and staff of the Waterworks look forward to the new partnerships and projects that the Linn-Norvell Darkroom will allow.