Work in the Darkroom
Image: View of the darkroom from CPCA Co-founder Luke Stettner’s exhibition State of the Sky at The Mattress Factory, 2023-2026.
The Darkroom Opens November 1, 2026!
CPCA’s community darkroom is a place to slow down, work by hand, and make photographs through process, experimentation, and discovery. Open to experienced photographers and those developing a darkroom practice, the space supports black-and-white film processing, silver-gelatin printing, and sustained creative work within a shared community of artists.
Whether you’re new to the darkroom or have years of experience, there’s a place for you in our studio. Here’s how to get started working independently in the Darkroom:
-
All Darkroom users must first complete an orientation (schedule below). The orientation is not a workshop, rather a chance to get to know the space and make sure folks are set up to begin working independently or connected with the right instruction to get started.
We’re here to help if you’re new to a darkroom environment. If after the orientation, further training is needed, we will coordinate with you to arrange for a workshop or 1:1 tutorial.
-
After completing orientation and/or any required training, artists can choose to either become a member (see membership options below) or pay for hourly darkroom use.
Hourly usage is great for those who do not need a monthly membership but have completed orientation and want darkroom access every once in a while.
CPCA’s Darkroom hourly rate is $15/hr for non-members and $10/hr for current CPCA Print Shop Members.
Darkroom hours can be paid for when you arrive and sign in with the staff or volunteer monitor.
Standard Sprint film and print chemistry and all darkroom tools/equipment provided for members and hourly users.
Please note reservations are still required for Hourly rental users.
-
After completing orientation and/or any required training, Darkroom members and non-members can reserve a workstation during Open Access Hours, Wednesday - Sunday, 10am-6pm, by scrolling down this page and clicking the “Reserve Studio Equipment” button.
Reservations are required for darkroom access and help our staff and volunteers ensure the studio is prepared for member work sessions. If you do not make a reservation, CPCA staff cannot guarantee your equipment will be available during your desired time slot(s).
If you are looking for expanded access to the darkroom, check out our 24/7 Darkroom Membership.
Whether you’re becoming a member or planning to rent the darkroom hourly, please sign up for a Darkroom Orientation before reserving your workstation. Thank you!
Darkroom Memberships
Individual Darkroom Members receive the benefits listed below:
Access to the darkroom and equipment during Open Access Hours
Newsletter or print produced by artists in our studio, mailed quarterly
10% off classes and workshops
10% off new and used CPCA books at Bookspace x CPCA bookstore (in-store only)
Cubby storage
Access to flat file storage rental
Participation in Annual Members Exhibition & Print Market
Invitations to Artist Members-only events such as critique nights and artist statement workshops
Individual Members are welcome to use the CPCA B&W darkroom during our staffed open hours. There are no daily use fees for Individual Members.
24/7 Print Shop + Darkroom Members receive 24/7 access to the print studio + darkroom as well as the benefits listed below:
24/7 access to the print shop and darkroom (digital lab is accessible during open hours for all)
1 FREE flat file and 1 cubby for storage
Newsletter or print produced by artists in our studio, mailed quarterly
15% off classes and workshops
10% off new books and 15% off CPCA used books in Bookspace x CPCA bookstore (in-store only)
Participation in Annual Members Exhibition & Print Market
Invitations to Artist Members-only events such as exhibitions, critique nights, and artist statement workshops
All new 24/7 Printshop + Darkroom Members are required to attend a studio orientation. Please visit the ‘Print Shop’ or ‘Darkroom’ page to register for an upcoming orientation date.
There are no daily use fees for Full Access Members. Members are required to pay for certain consumable materials if needed such as screen emulsion, digital printer ink, etc. These available materials and pricing can be found in the new member agreement that we will send you once you join :)
Standard B&W chemistry is included with all darkroom memberships.
Student Members must have graduated in the last year or be current students.
Student Members receive the benefits listed below:
Access to the darkroom and equipment during Open Access Hours
10% off classes and workshops
10% off new and used CPCA books at Bookspace x CPCA bookstore (in-store only)
Access to flat file storage rental
Participation in Annual Members Exhibition & Print Market
Invitations to Artist Members-only events such as critique nights and artist statement workshops
24/7 Darkroom Members receive 24/7 access to the CPCA Darkroom as well as the benefits listed below:
24/7 access to the darkroom and equipment
1 FREE flat file for storage
Newsletter or print produced by artists in our studio, mailed quarterly
15% off classes and workshops
10% off new books and 15% off CPCA used books in Bookspace x CPCA bookstore (in-store only)
Participation in Annual Members Exhibition & Print Market
Invitations to Artist Members-only events such as exhibitions, critique nights, and artist statement workshops
24/7 Members must also schedule a Studio Orientation (on the ‘Darkroom’ page) before working independently in the studio.
There are no daily use fees for 24/7 Members.
Individual Print Shop + Darkroom Members receive the benefits listed below:
Access to the Print Shop, Digital Lab, and Darkroom during Open Access Hours
Newsletter or print produced by artists in our studio, mailed quarterly
10% off classes and workshops
10% off new and used CPCA books at Bookspace x CPCA bookstore (in-store only)
Cubby storage
Access to flat file storage rental
Participation in Annual Members Exhibition & Print Market
Invitations to Artist Members-only events such as critique nights and artist statement workshops
Individual Members are welcome to use the CPCA communal print studios (printmaking, digital, and darkroom studios) during our staffed open hours. There are no daily use fees for Individual Members. Members are required to pay for certain consumable materials if needed in the print shop such as screen emulsion, digital printer ink, etc. These available materials and pricing can be found in the new member agreement that we will send you once you join :)
Standard B&W chemistry is included with all darkroom memberships.
Have you already completed a Darkroom Orientation? If so, yay! Please reserve the workstation for the date you plan to visit the darkroom to ensure it’s available for you:
CPCA’s community darkroom is set up for full black & white film processing and silver gelatin printing.
Our enlargers can accommodate the following film sizes:
35mm, 120 roll film formats (6×4.5, 6×6, 6×7, 6×9), and 4×5 sheet film
Maximum printable paper size:
20in x 24in
Enlargers:
• 1x Beseler 45MCRS with motorized chassis (workstation is accessible by wheelchair)
• 2x Beseler 23C III-XL
• 2x Beseler 23C II-XL
Full equipment & materials list coming soon.
Give the unique gift of membership, education, or studio time at Columbus Printed Arts Center.
Purchasing this digital gift card creates a unique code. The gift card recipient can enter this code at checkout to subtract the gift card value from their order total.
This gift card never expires.
Studio flat files are available for members to rent. $10/month for one drawer.
We are so grateful for the generous support from these funders:
