Light Work Announces the Jeffery J. Hoone Gallery
(SYRACUSE, NY September 28, 2023) - Light Work announces the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery.
The Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery was made possible by contributions from Carrie Mae Weems, Richard L. Menschel, Joy of Giving Something Inc., and many artists, friends, and family. You may contribute to the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery Endowment by visiting the Syracuse University online giving page.
In 2012, Hoone named the Main Gallery at Light Work after his mother, Kathleen O. Ellis, and established an endowment to support exhibitions in the gallery well into the future. With the naming of the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery at Light Work, his name will stand with his mother’s and that of Robert B. Menschel. Please join us to congratulate Jeff for his extraordinary work of supporting artists and leaving a legacy that will lead the gallery into the future with strength and confidence.
Hoone's tenure at Light Work established sustainable, long-term support for deserving artists. This new endowment in his name is a fitting tribute to his hard work, lifelong dedication and vision.
ABOUT JEFFREY J. HOONE & LIGHT WORK
It is our great pleasure to dedicate the Hallway Gallery at Light Work as the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery in honor of his visionary leadership at Light Work. Starting in 1980, Hoone worked with founding directors Phil Block and Tom Bryan for two years. After becoming director in 1982, he led the organization on a path of steady and sustainable growth while expanding the core Artist-in-Residence, exhibition and publishing programs. After 41 years in a leadership position, Hoone retired in 2021, leaving behind a legacy that included curating over 200 exhibitions,
hosting over 400 Artists-in-Residence, producing over 250 publications, raising over $ 25 million, and establishing five endowment funds totaling close to $3 million. During his last 15 years, he helped start, and then run, the Coalition of Museum and Art Centers at Syracuse
University. He also helped start Urban Video Project, the Photography and Literacy Project, managed a major permanent installation by Sol LeWitt and established the Syracuse University Art Museum.
Hoone considers the diversity of the programs and the artists that have been supported by Light Work to be his most important achievement. These efforts were recognized nationally and internationally as Light Work received top grants from the New York State Council on the Arts,
the National Endowment for the Arts and several national foundations. Hoone developed a close relationship with Syracuse University alumnus and philanthropist Robert B. Menschel. For nearly four decades until he passed away in 2022, Menschel was Light Work’s biggest benefactor and helped support a major renovation that resulted in the creation of the Robert B. Menschel Center, Light Work’s home since 2001. Menschel introduced Hoone to collector Howard Stein. Together, they formed the foundation Joy of Giving Something (JGS). After 20 years on the board, Hoone also now serves as president of JGS, which provides support to Light Work, Urban Video Project, the PAL Project and other photography organizations across the country to support emerging and under-recognized artists. The dedication ceremony took place in the Jeffrey J. Hoone Gallery at Light Work on September 14th at 6 PM.
PRESS IMAGES & INTERVIEW REQUESTS
To request high-resolution images for press reproduction and interviews, contact Cali Banks, Light Work Communications Coordinator, at cali@lightwork.org.
GALLERY HOURS, ADMISSION & GENERAL INFORMATION
Find Light Work’s galleries in the Robert B. Menschel Media Center, 316 Waverly Ave., Syracuse, New York. Gallery hours are: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Light Work closes on all major holidays. Contact Light Work to schedule a guided tour of the galleries or the Light Work Lab. Follow Light Work on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. For general information, please visit www.lightwork.org, call (315) 443-1300, or email info@lightwork.org.
PARKING
Paid parking is available in the Booth Garage at the intersection of Comstock and Waverly Avenues, diagonally across the street from Light Work. There is also metered parking in front of the Syracuse University Library, on Walnut Avenue, and on Comstock Avenue across from Booth Garage. Light Work’s gallery and office and the Community Darkrooms facility are located on the main floor of the Robert B. Menschel Media Center. Visit parking.syr.edu for more information on parking and directions to the galleries.
ABOUT LIGHT WORK
Light Work is a non-profit, artist-run organization dedicated to the support of artists working in photography and electronic media, located in the Robert B. Menschel Media Center. Light Work invites groups and individuals to schedule tours of the exhibitions and facility and to attend
gallery talks. Limited metered parking is available on Waverly Avenue and paid parking is available in Booth Parking Garage. Light Work thanks Syracuse University and Robert B. Menschel and Vital Projects, as well as the Andy Warhol Foundation, CNY Arts, the Central
New York Community Foundation, JGS (Joy of Giving Something Inc.), the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, and the subscribers to Contact Sheet for their dedicated and ongoing support of our programs. Light Work is a member of CMAC, the
Coalition of Museum and Art Centers at Syracuse University.
Cali Banks (she, her)
Light Work, Communications Coordinator
p: 315.443.9933
e: cali@lightwork.org