Enjoy an evening with peers – photographers and photography collectors – as we tour the studio, darkroom, and workshop space of Carol Panaro-Smith and James Hajicek. Carol and James are known for their exploration and teaching of photographic arts, mixed media, and book arts, with an emphasis on historic photographic processes.

STUDIO VISIT 5:30–6:15PM (Free)

AZPA members will enjoy the visual, tactile pleasures of handmade artworks, while learning about the impetus behind individual pieces, how the artworks relate to photo history, and James’s and Carol’s commitment to teaching and encouraging personal creativity.

During this studio visit, AZPA members will have the opportunity to see examples of some of the earliest photographic processes, cyanotypes and salt prints, as well as mixed media, collage, and hand-made books. Both cyanotypes and salt prints are alternative photographic processes that are created by exposure to sunlight.

This is the perfect event for photographers, collectors, art educators, and people interested in exploring their own creativity. Although their work is available through photo-eye Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico and Joseph Bellows in La Jolla, California, AZPA members will have a special opportunity to view and purchase James and Carol’s one-of-a-kind prints directly from their studio in Arizona.

OPTIONAL BRICK OVEN PIZZA & WINE DINNER 6:30–8:00PM ($15 per member – additional registration required no later than April 25, see order form)

Giving the evening a unique twist, we will follow the studio visit with a unique group dinner opportunity as James creates his exotic pizzas including ingredients such as blackened garlic, garden-fresh arugula, and caramelized onions in his handmade brick pizza oven.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW – YOU MUST SIGN UP FOR EACH SESSION YOU WANT TO ATTEND.

This very special event is limited to 20 AZPA members at each segment of the event. You may attend both events or only one event, be sure to choose your option(s) on the order form. AZPA membership is strictly required. Not a member yet, but want to attend? See membership options

About the Artists

Carol Panaro-Smith and James Hajicek have spent their careers dedicated to and fostering in others an appreciation of art. Carol has taught extensively at institutions throughout the valley for decades and was the founding Program Director for Art Intersection in Gilbert, Arizona. James was a Professor of Photography at ASU for 34 years where he directed the late 19th century photographic printing processes program.

Together, they run Alchemy Studio, a teaching studio in Arizona, offering classes and workshops in a variety of media. They also offer retreats in Tuscany, Italy, intersecting the arts and encouraging self-exploration through creative writing, photography, mixed media, and yoga.

In 2001, James and Carol began working collaboratively using the process known as photogenic drawing – one of the earliest photographic processes of the nineteenth century, developed by William Henry Fox Talbot. Unique prints are created using botanicals from the earth and sea that are placed in direct contact with hand-coated light sensitive paper.

Event cover image: Detail of Earth Vegetation/06-001 © James Hajicek and Carol Panaro-Smith.