The Photography Department opened a new photo lounge for students to build a stronger sense of community.
The Photo Community student group hosted a grand opening on Thursday, Oct. 5, in the new space in the 600 S. Michigan Ave building in room 1204. There were film and SD card giveaways, table tennis and music. Food and drinks also were provided to those in attendance.
Students can reserve space in the lounge — which consists of three rooms — to complete assignments and projects. The hours of operation have yet to be determined.
“We had this event idea because there wasn’t a space for all of us to meet each other, so we talked to the faculty and made the space come about so we can all get to know each other and then have a space to meet for the meetings,” said Madeline Cwiklo, junior photography major and event coordinator for the Photo Community.
Sophomore photography major Jordan Perdue plans to use the space to help find other photographers.
“I feel like photo people don’t really have that much of a community, so I feel like this is important that we all come here,” Perdue said.
Perdue said the space will provide photography students with the opportunity to have a greater sense of community amongst other photographers, saying that it is often “hard to find, especially as a new student coming into this major.”
Barbara Dubnick, a senior photography major and president of the Photo Community, sees the space getting lots of use following its introduction.
“Once we have all that furniture, I think it’s going to be a pretty popular place. The big part about this launch party is so that people know that we have it,” Dubnick said. “I think it’ll benefit photo students because it makes them feel a little more seen.”
Senior photography major Olivia Rusch, who is the social media officer for the Photo Community, plans to use the space to complete projects and mingle with other photo students.
“As a commuter, I feel like I’m going to use it probably more often than most,” Rusch said. “I’ll be using it more for editing or a place to just chill in between classes.”
