In the Beginning
In the late 1990s, several local photographers—led by founding member Scott Peterman—rented a basement space in the old Calderwood Bakery building in Portland, Maine. They installed a 36” Collenta color processor, a crude C-41 drum film processor, two large format enlargers, and a full assembly of black-and-white processing/printing equipment. The total cost of the space and equipment was divided among the early participants, who became “members” and paid monthly dues for access. The space was also rented by-the-hour to any non-members in need, to defray cost and build community.
Photo A Go-Go
In order to reduce membership costs, the original Bakery crew launched Photo A Go-Go, a fundraiser and party featuring framed prints from local to nationally recognized photographers. The auction grew exponentially over the years, and after two decades and counting, Photo A Go-Go is now one of Maine’s most-beloved cultural events.
To Westbrook, Back to Portland
After relocating to a larger warehouse space in Westbrook for 10 years, the Bakery returned to Portland in 2017—thanks to an invitation from Jocelyn Lee to join her new arts and gallery space in Woodford’s Corner. The Bakery now shares a home with Speedwell Projects, one of Portland’s premier galleries.
Photography has undergone profound changes since we first came together over twenty years ago (RIP, color processor), but the Bakery continues its mission to provide state-of-the-art digital and darkroom resources, as well as educational programming and artist talks to help photographers create, hone, and inspire.
Former Members
Tristan SpinskiTom PhillipsTonee HarbertSean HarrisSam Walker
Sean ThomasShoshanna WhiteSusannah JordanTanja HollanderTom BolducKimberly RogersLiz BieberMatthew RobbinsMax BrownshergerMeghan FarrellMichael Martin Michael WilsonNancy HortonNatalie ConnNathaniel MayPatrick ScholzRachel MonegueRachel SchwartzRobert MonroeRonald DeprezScott PetermanCarol SavageCharles GrunderChris BethClara YimCourtney MooneyDana ColihanDavid LeithDavid LevittDavid SegreDerek JacksonDylan HausthorElizabeth AtterburyGina PlattGrace Hopkins LisleJack NordbyJames ConradJames HelmsJennifer CalivasJessica WilliamsJocelyn LeeJohn MonroeJon TobiaszJustin LewisKat MillerAlex JacobosonAlexandra RheaultAndy CrossAmy SteenstraAmy TempleBen DeHaanBenzo HarrisBob MonroeBrian JonesBrian NorrisBryan GrafCarly Messer