Photo Above: Cheryl Gorski
Working Lens 2024 marks the second collaboration between CEPA Gallery and WNYCOSH, further strengthening the relationship between the arts and the labor community. This unique exhibition brings together seven union workers who, over the span of eight weeks, have developed their photography skills under the mentorship of renowned photographer Martin Malicki. Throughout this creative journey, participants have explored the intersection of their personal and professional lives, using photography as a medium to document the complex realities of work, home, and family.
Working Lens 2024 is not just an art exhibition—it is a celebration of resilience, community, and the transformative power of art to shed light on the everyday experiences of working people. Through the collaboration between CEPA Gallery and WNYCOSH, the project provides a platform for union workers to express themselves creatively while engaging in meaningful dialogue about the significance of their roles in both their families and the larger community.
WNYCOSH, or the Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health, is a non-profit organization dedicated to defending workers’ rights to a safe and healthy work environment through outreach, advocacy, and education to improve the working conditions of all workers. They educate and advocate for workers’ rights while providing worker safety and health training to thousands of workers in the Western New York area.