Inaugural Exhibition & Cocktail Hour at The Darkroom Chicago

The Darkroom Chicago invites you to our Inaugural Exhibition & Cocktail Hour, a milestone celebration marking one year of impact, storytelling, and community building through film photography.

Over the past year, The Darkroom Chicago has transformed into a creative hub where youth, families, and community members have come together to learn the art of analog photography, preserve stories, and build collective memory. Through workshops, open lab hours, and collaborations with partners across the city, we’ve deepened access to photography as a tool for self-expression and cultural preservation.

This evening will showcase photography created in our programs, highlight the stories behind the images, and reflect on the themes of community, legacy, and love that guide our work. Guests will enjoy a curated gallery experience, light bites and cocktails, and live storytelling from artists and participants who helped shape our first year.

The night is not just about looking back—it’s about toasting to what’s ahead. We’ll share updates on our growing youth programs, upcoming workshops, and new partnerships as we move into year two and beyond. Together, we’ll honor the supporters and collaborators who have fueled our journey while opening doors to those who wish to join us in sustaining and expanding this work.

Whether you’re an artist, educator, funder, community partner, or friend of The Darkroom Chicago, this evening is a chance to celebrate the power of photography to archive our lives and inspire our future.