Photographic Center Northwest

The Northwest Center for Photography, originally founded in the early 1980s as the Exposure School of Photography, has played an important role in nurturing photographic practice in the Pacific Northwest. It was later renamed the Northwest Center for Photography, reflecting its growing ambition to become a hub for education, creativity, and public engagement with the medium. In 1988, the organization entered a new chapter when A.K. Shethar acquired it, transforming the center into what would become a recognized non-profit dedicated to the advancement of the photographic arts.

Under Shethar’s leadership, the Center expanded its mission to support not only education but also the exhibition and preservation of photography. This transformation allowed the institution to build a photography collection that reflects the diversity and vitality of the medium. From traditional darkroom prints to experimental and contemporary works, the collection illustrates the range of voices and practices that have defined photography over the last several decades. By presenting these works in public exhibitions and maintaining them for study, the Center ensured that the collection would serve both artists and audiences for generations to come.

In 1997, the Center found a permanent home in a renovated 1920s ambulance building in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood. This move provided space not only for classrooms and studios but also for galleries where the photography collection could be shared more widely. The exhibitions presented in this setting have consistently highlighted the medium’s ability to connect local and global perspectives, from showcasing emerging regional photographers to hosting established international figures. The collection has become a cornerstone for these exhibitions, grounding contemporary practice in a rich historical and cultural context.

Today, the Northwest Center for Photography—now known as Photographic Center Northwest—continues to build upon this legacy. Its photography collection remains central to its mission, serving as both an educational resource and a source of inspiration for the community. By preserving the past while encouraging innovation, the Center ensures that photography remains a living, evolving art form in the Pacific Northwest and beyond.