About Us
Photoworks is a vibrant and unique resource for photographers. Our philosophy is simple: Creative dialogue with fellow photographers, an intimate learning environment, and outstanding faculty are the ingredients for creative growth.
Our Mission
Forty years ago, in a derelict building hidden among the abandoned amusement park rides of Glen Echo Park, four young photographers founded Photoworks with little more than a shared passion for the daily work of seeing, shooting, and printing images of lasting beauty and artistic integrity. The day-to-day collaboration, creative dialogue, and informal mentoring that led those artists to successful careers as fine art and commercial photographers established the values of experimentation and collegiality that define Photoworks today.
Offering a diverse combination of educational programs, gallery exhibitions, and community initiatives, Photoworks is a vibrant and unique resource for student and professional photographers – an arts community in the very best sense of the word.
Meet Our Team
Karen Keating
Executive Director
Earning an MFA in photography from the Maryland Institute College of Art, Karen combines teaching photography at the Field School, directing and teaching at Photoworks and practicing fine art photography in the documentary style.
David Myers
President
David's passion for photography over the years has been augmented by workshops with Ernesto Bazan, Imogene Cunningham, David Alan Harvey, Connie Imboden, Karen Keating, and Tom Wolff. David is President and CEO of the American Institutes of Research.
Emily Whiting
Director
Emily teaches darkroom and street shooting classes for young photographers. Emily’s work has been shown most recently in the Maine Photography Show and in two exhibits at Photoworks — “Double Vision” and “ Visual Poetry.”
Gayle Rothschild
Exhibit Director
Gayle’s career as a fine art photographer began as a student at Photoworks in 1978. She earned an MFA degree from the University of Maryland and began her teaching career at Photoworks in 1983, also teaching at Trinity and Montgomery Colleges and Visual Arts in Rockville.
Amy Walker
Treasurer
Amy is currently the Director of Finance and Operations at The Siena School in Silver Spring, MD. In addition to her long career in business and finance, Amy worked as an event and portrait photographer after completing the professional program at The Washington School of Photography in 2003.
Sophie McDowell
Communications Coordinator
Sophie is from Washington, D.C. and currently resides in Central Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains. She designed and manages the Photoworks website and helps manage the Photoworks media accounts. Sophie makes woodblock prints and writes songs that are inspired by her art.
Peter Kozloski
Darkroom Technician
Peter came to Photoworks as a student in the Master Printing Class. His passion for photography grew from his Architectural training and love of the visual arts. He is the founder of Blueridge Architecture and Design and teaches Intro to Black & White Darkroom Photography while also managing the Sunday Open Darkroom.
Damon Lombard
Board Member
Damon currently teaches Science 7 and Visual Arts 7 at St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, MD. He used to work as a middle school darkroom photography teacher at The Field School. Damon is enamored with the visual arts but has a special love for the photogram (pictures made in the darkroom without cameras).
