CPW Kingston | Phase 1
CPW Kingston | Phase 1
Kingston, New York
Completed: 1st floor - Phase 1 temporary galleries
In Construction: New Stair, 2nd floor Offices, Digital Media Lab, Photography Library & Research Center, Education Workshops
Type: Adaptive Reuse, Cultural
Role: Architect
Photo Credit: Eduard Hueber / archphoto.com
Founded in 1977 as the Center for Photography at Woodstock, CPW is a community-based not-for-profit arts organization that encourages emerging artists, experimental ideas, and relevant debates about photography and visual culture.
In Kingston’s Midtown Arts District, CPW is working with Lopergolo + Bartling Architects to transform a historic 40,000 square foot former cigar factory into its new headquarters and cultural hub for the region.
In advance of the full renovation of all four floors set to open in 2027, the first phase of the project reimagines the first two floors of the circa 1907 factory building, creating 6,000 square feet of gallery space on the ground floor which will host exhibitions, community events, and other educational programs. As part of the renovation, Lopergolo + Bartling thoughtfully assessed existing mechanical, plumbing and structural systems and removed those which were obsolete to create large, functional exhibition spaces. This process fostered a dialogue between old and new, juxtaposing new well-proportioned gallery walls against the historic fabric.
Four exhibition galleries occupy the ground floor as part of this first phase, with exhibitions featuring Mary Ellen Mark, Colleen and Kathleen Kenyon, and Keisha Scarville . In the Community Gallery, the inaugural exhibition “Free, For All” invited Kingston and area photographers to exhibit work for the grand re-opening via an open call for submissions. As part of the 2nd floor renovation, CPW’s new Digital Media Lab will continue to provide an important community resource adjacent to classrooms and a large workshop space which will host public programs. The floor will also house Studio Space, a Library and Research Center, Print Viewing Room, staff offices, and new public restrooms.
