Patricia Katchur

 

​

Biography
 

Growing up in Pittsburgh - against the backdrop of smoky, steel mills of a dying, industrial era - was a visual feast. In contrast, the picturesque landscape of tree forests and rolling fields combined with the moody atmospheric environment accentuated the natural world in a way that still lights a fire in my heart.  A strange beauty co-existed in both these natural and unnatural worlds.  Such memories from youth still linger in my mind.
 

I received a BFA in Fine Art Photography from Rochester Institute of Technology in upstate New York. Spending my junior-year-abroad based out of Salzburg, Austria, I studied art history and traveled across the continent (and beyond) - exploring, seeking & discovering.

 

Tucson has twice been my home. I spent my first 6 years in Tucson straight out of college. Initially, the Sonoran Desert was uninvitingly harsh and abrasive. But the desert is bewitching, and once one understands its conflicting beauty, it never lets go.

 

New York City was my growing up period. I arrived to The Big Apple insecure, but quickly realized my strengths and abilities. Things worked in my favor; I was in the right place, at the right time. Sixty Eight Degrees was a custom, high end, black & white photo lab that I co-owned and managed. Our clients were the top fashion photographers, advertising directors, magazine editorial departments and artists. It was the 90s, and life was good.
 

After many years, photography shifted from analog to digital, and I began different pursuits. Together, with Eric Taubman, we started Center for Alternative & Historic Processes (which later morphed into penumbrafoundation.org). But the desert beckoned, cajoling me back. After returning to the Southern Arizona in 2006, another 16 years have quickly passed. I have now lived here longer than any other place. With the many changes to the American Southwest- such as lack of water, over-development, and loss of desert - it's possible I might pack up and move along, but for now I'm a full-fledged Tucsonan.

 

My latest endeavors include Sunshine Shop Tucson and ART RANCH.

 

 

Selected Experience

​

2020-Present Founding Vice President - Triangle L ART RANCH - 501(c)(3) non-profit, Oracle AZ
Helping to brand and grow a non-profit Sculpture Park, Gallery, Events and History Museum.  

2020-2022 Co-Host Team and House Manager of Historic Ball-Paylore House, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation (THPF), Tucson AZ

2019-Present Co-Executive Director - Triangle L Ranch/ART RANCH, Oracle AZ - Sculpture Park, Gallery and Events on an Historic Ranch with private cottages. Tasks include: email newsletter, social media and website: design, content, updates and photography; logo designs and signage; print + digital postcards; map of paths; descriptions; and whatever needs attention.

 

2016-Present Founder + Director - Sunshine Shop, Tucson AZ
A retail shop specializing in mid-century modern furniture, local contemporary art and all things Arizona. I am solely responsible for all aspects of the business including social media, website with content, Etsy online shop, photography, curation of art, opening receptions and artist talks,  showroom display, customer service, fiscal responsibilities and anything that needs to be done. Working with a handful of independent pickers, Sunshine Shop is able to offer an exceptional selection of goods within a cohesive aesthetic.

 

2010-2018 Proprietress - Yikes Toys!, Tucson AZ
All responsibilities from ordering products, creative display, advertising (during the shift from print to social media), managing employees, customer service, fiscal responsibilities and creating events like Caterpillar Day, Day of  Dead Face Painting and Art Openings. All aspects of running a retail store while also being part of the team.

 

2013-2016 Sponsor Relations - Tucson Modernism Week Committee, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation (THPF), Tucson AZ
2009 Unit Production Manager / Film Crew - Flor de Muertos, Tucson AZ and Nogales AZ & Mexico
2007-2011 Studio Manager - Alleman Studios, Bronze Sculpture Artist, Tucson AZ
2007 Instructor - Wet Plate Collodion Workshop,  F/295 Symposium, Pittsburgh PA

1999-2009 Assistant Instructor - Wet Plate Collodion Workshops with Joni Sternbach: International Center for Photography (ICP) NYC, NY / Silver Eye Gallery, Pittsburgh, PA / Peabody Salem, MA / Private Residence, East Hampton, NY • Engaged / taught hands-on creation of  the wet plate collodion (tintype, glass negative, ambrotype) process in workshop settings.

 

2004-2007 Organizer - GLOW! a nighttime art experience, Triangle L Ranch, Oracle AZ

 

2005-2008 Co-Founder & Founding Director - Center for Alternative and Historic Processes, New York City, NY
Created and developed, with business partner Eric Taubman, an ongoing series of hands-on historic and alternative photographic processes workshops taught by professors, artists and masters. We also established a darkroom / workshop space on East 30th St in Manhattan (which is now penumbrafoundation.org).

 

1993-2005 Worker, Co-Owner & Managing Partner – 68 Degrees B&W Photographic Laboratory, New York City,  NY

Responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day managing of a professional, high-end, custom black & white photographic laboratory in a fast-paced environment. Clients included top fashion and art photographers, magazine editors and advertising agencies. Oversaw up to 30 staff employees in the production of  analog film development & darkroom printing, toning, large-scale murals, special projects and customer service. I excelled in customer relations and meeting deadlines, which grew our clients from a handful-to-plenty.

 

1992-1995 Co-Owner - Apparatus, Metalworks with Sharon Holnback, Tucson AZ
1993-1994 Gallery Assistant - Robin Rice Gallery, New York City NY

1991-1993 Board Member - Tucson Coalition for the Arts, Tucson AZ

1988-1993 Board Member, Gallery Director - Group for Photographic Intentions (GPI), Tucson AZ

1985-1986 Gallery Assistant - Salzburg College Gallery, Salzburg Austria

 

Education
BFA Fine Art Photography, Rochester Institute of Technology (R.I.T.), Rochester NY
Junior-Year-Abroad / Photography and Art History, Salzburg College, Salzburg Austria

Daguerreotype Workshop / Mike Robinson, The Daguerreian Society, Pittsburgh PA
Center for Alternative and Historic Processes Workshops, NYC NY
Wet Plate Collodion Workshop / John Coffer, Dundee NY
Glass Casting Workshop / Urban Glass, Brooklyn NY

 

Selected Lectures and Panels
2015 Art as Life, Lecture, Honors College, University of Arizona
2014 Co-Juror | Curious Camera Competition, ArtsEye Gallery, Tucson AZ
2013 Robots!!! Atomic to the Space Age / Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation’s Tucson Modernism Week
2013 Catalyst Cafe / Small Businesses & Social Media panel discussion, Pima County Public Library, Tucson AZ
2007 Back to Basics: The Renaissance in Historic and Alternative Photographic Processes - / F295 Symposium on Lensless, Alternative and

        Adaptive Photographic Processes, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh PA

 

Current Exhibitions
2023 'Exposición Colectiva Fotógrafas Tramontanas: Nuestras Guias del Norte' •  Curada por Estela Treviño

MUSAS (Museo de Arte de Sonora), September 1 - December 1, 2023, Sonora Mexico
Alejandra Platt-Torres, Ammi Robles, Amy Zuckerman, Claudia Platt, Edith Cots, Edith Reyes Freaner, Jane Robert, Jenea Sánchez,
Kika Pérez, Mara Sánchez Renero, Mary Madison Finn, Olivia Vivanco, Patricia Katchur, Persia Campbell, Samantha Schwann,
Silvia Gómez, Vanessa Torres-Reina, Velia de la Cruz

​