About Us

The Darkroom was founded in 2010 by Visual Artist and Photographer Mella Travers. Mella began her photographic career in the 1990s, working for many prestigious fashion publications, while also maintaining an extensive personal practice. Her work has been exhibited widely in Ireland, including VISUAL Carlow and RHA Dublin. Most recently she has exhibited work alongside artists Wendy Judge and Niamh McGuinne, which explored innovative analogue techniques and modes of presentation.

Beginning as a small space at the artist collective Block T, Smithfield, The Darkroom has expanded and grown, and in 2016 moved to a purposely fitted and designed space centrally located at 32 North Brunswick St, Stoneybatter. The Darkroom is a non-for-profit funded by the arts council.

Encompassing analogue and digital facilities, darkrooms, a large studio, a digital suite and an extensive range of camera and lighting equipment, The Darkroom offers a range of rental options and a wide range of courses covering all aspects of photography.

Experienced and award-winning tutors, such as Mandy O’Neill and Mella Travers, are on hand to provide small group sessions or one to one tutoring, which can be tailored to the client’s needs. A description of the wide range of courses available can be found here.

At the space, we have a very large black and white darkroom, Artist studio Space, Photography studio/gallery, film screening area, as well as a hot-decks, a kitchen and bathroom.

The Black and White darkroom houses 8 enlargers and a separate film processing area. It is suitable for analogue film formats from 35mm – 5X7 as well as processing Super 8 and 16mm motion film.

Whether you’re completely new to the world of photography and eager to start your learning journey, or looking to expand your skills and knowledge, The Darkroom has a course for you.

All our courses can be provided as group sessions, or on an intensive, one to one basis. Duration and prices may vary, please have a look at upcoming events or subscribe to the newsletter to get news from us!