On Thursday, Feb. 27, the Museum of Contemporary Photography hosted their annual benefit auction on the fifth floor of the Student Center, premiering both artworks and interactive experiences from a variety of contemporary artists around the world to raise money for the museum’s exhibitions, programs and educational initiatives. 

The auction was located outside the event space with two gallery walls displaying the pieces up for sale. Complimentary food and drinks were offered to guests throughout the night, accompanied by live music.

As guests entered the event space, DJ Alejandro Zerah welcomed them with lively music shifting the vibes from the auction to the cocktail party. 

Gaozhe Max Li’s Tintype Experience was also located inside, an interactive experience where guests could get their photos taken in 19th-century style through wet plate collodion tintype portraiture for $300.

The MoCP previously held a benefit event every year for nearly two decades, but the name was only officially changed to Darkroom in 2014. This year’s auction raised approximately $325,000 and brought in 400 attendees, including Columbia students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as other creatives from Chicago and beyond.

Though this event helps raise funds for the museum’s endeavors, MoCP’s Associate Curator Asha Iman Veal said that it’s also to foster a community surrounding photography in Chicago. 

“The MoCP community is so special and so dedicated, and through this event we’re able to really come together but also bring more folks into the fold who maybe haven’t before.”

Justin Kimball, a professor at Amherst College in Massachusetts and one of the auctioning artists, said that he appreciates the dual purpose of Darkroom.

“It raises awareness about photography and brings money into the museum,” Kimball said. “I think it fosters community in a way that’s super important at a time like this.” 

Kimball was auctioning his “Mill River” archival inkjet print from a 2022 photographic series titled “Who By Fire.”

Junior photography major Kyli Hawks said she loves seeing the pieces and patrons appreciate the work put into them.  

“They are connecting artists, educators and collectors all at once in one space, and I feel like that is foundational to MoCP’s mission,” Hawks said. 

Since 2011, MoCP has also been awarding one artist annually at Darkroom with the Silver Camera Award designed to honor their contributions to the field of photography. 

Vera Lutter, a German artist based in New York City, was the recipient of the 2025 Silver Camera Award for her unique and innovative approach to photography.

Lutter has been involved with the MoCP since 2001, when the Museum commissioned her to bring her creative process to downtown Chicago and create singular portraits of the city.

“Every time I come to Chicago, I’m reminded how essential this place is to photography, how humble all the people are who work here and promote photography and what an essential and important job they do,” Lutter said.

A few of Lutter’s works are part of MoCP’s permanent collection, one of which was up for bidding during the event.  

Artist and motivational speaker Imran Nuri said that events like Darkroom bring in people who love, advocate for and support the arts.

“Now more than ever, it’s important for people to have a community and a reason to come together,” Nuri said.

Krista Wortendyke, alum and associate director of the School of Visual Arts agreed saying, “it’s great to create community…At this moment in time it feels like having a support system is really important.”

These sentiments were echoed by co-chairs of the event Gary Metzner and Scott Johnson who opened the night with their speech emphasizing the political power of photography in today’s world.

Elizabeth Daramola, a senior photography student at Columbia and collections assistant at the MoCP, said that this power was even represented in the diversity of the artwork up for auction.

“I think that the range of work that we have this year is really important to show everything that’s been going on,” Daramola said. “We have people talking about motherhood and the intersectionality of art in domestic spaces…we also have art that is political and moves you.”

Architect and Darkroom benefit committee member Eszter Borvendeg appreciates the MoCP’s mission to showcase a vast collection of contemporary photography. 

“I always feel like the world doesn’t know enough about it so you have to get the word out that there’s this amazing amenity in the city of Chicago,” Borvendeg said.

Proceeds from the auction will support MoCP’s initiatives to help people understand the artistic, cultural and social roles of photography on a deeper level. 

“As we look ahead for the next fifty years, the support we raise tonight ensures MoCP remains a space where photography sparks dialogue, challenges perspectives and inspires change,” Egan said.

Copy edited by Patience Hurston