Do I need prior photography experience to attend?

No prior experience is needed; the seminar is designed to engage both newcomers and enthusiasts.

Is the seminar recorded for later viewing?

Please check with the seminar organizers; some sessions may offer recordings post-event.

How do I join the Zoom seminar?

You will receive a link via email after registration; simply click it at the scheduled time.

Can I ask questions during the seminar?

Yes, there will be a dedicated Q&A segment allowing attendees to interact with Sarah Barsness.

Is there a fee to attend this seminar?

Fee details are provided by the hosting museum or organizer; please refer to their official site for registration information.

What topics will the seminar cover?

It focuses on the cultural history of photography, especially its impact on truth and memory linked to the 1975 Lower East Side exhibition.

Virtual Photography Seminar on Cultural History | Events

Dive into an engaging virtual seminar helmed by photographer Sarah Barsness, designed for photography enthusiasts and cultural history buffs. This online event connects participants with the rich heritage of photography as illuminated by the Museum at Eldridge Street’s 1975 Lower East Side exhibition. Anchored in New York City’s vibrant cultural fabric, the seminar unpacks how photography not only records moments but also constructs narratives about truth and memory across time.

Sarah Barsness guides attendees through pivotal shifts in photographic practice and its social implications, tracing how images become tools for storytelling, activism, and historical documentation. Participants will gain an understanding of how photographers have captured the evolving identities of urban communities and preserved their collective memories within the context of a changing cityscape.

The session’s virtual format offers an accessible, in-depth discussion featuring a unique blend of art analysis and historical context, perfect for those interested in the intersection of visual media and cultural studies. Complementing the seminar, the Museum at Eldridge Street's groundbreaking 1975 exhibition serves as a landmark moment in the recognition of photography’s role in cultural preservation.

Whether you’re an aspiring photographer, historian, or simply curious about the evolution of image-making, this seminar connects you with a thoughtful exploration of photography’s power beyond the frame. It shines a light on the enduring influence of visual storytelling in shaping societal understanding and collective memory.

About Museum at Eldridge Street

Museum at Eldridge Street preserves and interprets the Eldridge Street Synagogue, a landmark on Manhattan’s Lower East Side established in 1887. The museum offers a range of guided and self-guided experiences, including docent-led discovery tours, self-guided visits, architecture and anniversary building tours, virtual talks, and multilingual programs.
Regular offerings highlight walking tours that explore Jewish history across neighborhoods such as the Lower East Side, Greenwich Village, and Historic Jewish Harlem, as well as themed walks about activism, love and courtship, and the Jewish gangsters of Lower Manhattan. Monthly Spanish-guided tours are held every last Monday of the month, and special events include concerts, exhibition talks, and food-focused walks like the Eldridge Eats Food Tour.
The museum presents virtual programming, including seminars tied to exhibitions such as the Lower East Side in 1975 photography project and virtual book talks. The Anniversary Building Tour celebrates the synagogue with artifacts, documents, and images presented by guides like Scott Brevda.
By combining historic preservation, community programming, and educational tours, the institution supports research and public engagement without relying on conjecture. Visitors can expect factual interpretation rooted in primary sources, curated exhibitions, and live-led programs produced by professional staff and volunteer docents. Located in New York, New York, the Museum at Eldridge Street serves both local audiences and visitors seeking authentic stories of Jewish immigrant experience, architecture, and cultural history on the Lower East Side. Programs include guided education for schools, public lectures, family activities, and seasonal events that deepen neighborhood connections and archival access.