Phocus brings alumnus to teach

John Palmer A&E Editor

Phocus, the campus photography club, is hoping to revitalize their club and share a wealth of knowledge with the Vassar community through a lecture by photojournalist Serge St. Levy ’95.

The event will take place this Friday, Nov. 12 at 4:30 p.m. in Taylor 203. Co-sponsored by the Alumnae and Alumni of Vassar College (AAVC), the Career Development Office, the Sociology Department, and the Art Department, the lecture “Art, Photojournalism, Photography and the Evolving Creative Artist” will focus on the job of a photojournalist and the line between being successful and making art, according to co-head of Phocus Faith Holland ’07.

Levy will also lead a separate workshop “Documentary Photography and the Development of the Photo-Essay,” which will take place on Saturday, with limited enrollment.

“The talk is about being a photojournalist and the tension between making money and following creative work. He’s really interested in making his lecture accessible,” said Holland.

Levy graduated Vassar in 1995 with a degree in sociology. Shortly after graduation, he applied for and received a grant through Vassar, which eventually started his career as a photojournalist. Levy has done work for various magazines and newspapers, including People, Sports Illustrated, The New York Times Magazine, The Daily News, and The Wall Street Journal. Documentary photography is his specialty, although his interests have moved beyond photojournalism.

The workshop will help lead aspiring photographers by giving each participant a project with a certain focus. When the group meets again on Dec. 4, another session of constructive criticism will further guide members in the class. The class enrollment is limited to 12 students.

This event fits into a greater effort to revitalize the Phocus club. “We’re also having a show of student work.” Holland said that a goal of hers and co-head Liz Lewis ’07 is to “rebuild this club, and this is our first real event.” In the spring, Phocus is working to bring Laurie Toby Edison, a photographer of unconventional nudes, to campus.

In addition, Phocus is sponsoring a student display of work, which will open on Nov. 19 with a reception in the College Center MPR, according to Lewis. “Some of the photos will be up for sale,” said Lewis.

Members of Phocus have access to the darkroom, which many are using to prepare for the photography event. “We’re really happy with the darkroom,” said Holland. “We’re working on getting cameras for people on campus to use.” Phocus is also working to try to attain additional studio space. “We need to find a studio space with lighting and to figure out what space can be used. We’re looking into it.”

Phocus, which now has a mailing list of 100 students, was founded with the intent of creating and maintaining student interest in photography. “Phocus was fundamental to bringing in a photography class to campus,” said Holland.

Levy’s website, www.sergejflevy.com, contains samples of his work.