2026 Fall NEPa PHOTOGRAPHY
Schedule, Overview, & Scholarship Application
SCHEDULE
Open House/Studio Visit:
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 4pm
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 4pm
Tuesday, September 15th, 2026 4pm
Note: It is mandatory applicants attend at least one 30-45min open house in early September. (Students may choose from three date(s) at the bottom of the scholarship application.)
Scholarships Announced:
Thursday, September 17th, 2026
Note: Scholarship Applications are reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. Students must also complete a waiver and attend at least one open house before we can confirm enrollment. Once enrolled, students are expected to attend weekly class on Tuesdays from 4:00-6:30pm. Field trips and other activities are optional.
Classes (Tuesdays from 4:00-6:30pm September 22nd - December 19th)
September 22nd - Week 1 (Camera check out)
September 29th - Week 2
October 6th - Week 3
October 13th - Week 4
October 20th - Week 5
October 27th - Week 6
November 3d - Week 7
November 10th - Week 8
November 17th - Week 9
November 24th - Week 10
December 1st - Week 11
December 8th - Week 12
December 15th - (Camera Return)
TBD Events:
SFC Artist Lecture - TBA (Evening, exact time & Location TBA)
SFC Student Photography Exhibition (Date, Time & Location TBA)
LOCATION & TRANSPORTATION
T.W. Shoemaker ART
312 Wyoming Avenue
Wyoming, Pa 18644
Luzerne County Transit Authority (LCTA) bus #11 stop is approximately 100 yards away at 8th St. and Wyoming Avenue
OVERVIEW
SFC provides a blended learning environment where students are challenged to master the art and craft of photography, explore the creative process, create, share, and critique each other’s photographs in a collaborative group atmosphere resulting in images that express their own unique point of view and engage the community. Each class is taught by Social Fabric Collective Founder Jamie Smith. Space is limited to ten high school students. Scholarship applications are reviewed on a first come, first serve basis.
Each SFC student is supplied with a camera and works at a fully equipped computer workstation. Students will develop skills that include camera use as well as techniques required to edit, process, print, and archive photographic work.
Students will take field trips and participate in significant community projects to broaden their horizons. They will also meet with noteworthy photographers - past examples include: Seth Resnick, Deanne Fitzmaurice, Doug Menuez, Henry Leutwyler, Joseph Cartright, Michael Black, Aimee Dilger, and others.
The session will culminate with an exhibit of student work at TW Shoemaker Art Gallery.
A note to the nervous: Classes are designed to challenge all levels and previous experience with photography is not required. It is much more important that aspiring students posses a lively sense of curiosity and an openness to learning.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Fill out the Scholarship Application Form below. All fields are required unless marked optional. Please be sure to calculate and select the appropriate scholarship level when completing Section Two.
2. When finished, click the 'submit' button at the bottom - an automated message will appear on your screen to verify we have received your form and provide a link to print the Student Waiver. Please read, print, sign, and mail the waiver back in order to complete the application process. (If you are under age 18 a parent or guardian’s signature is required).
3. Once your signed Student Waiver is received we will review your entire application on a first come, first serve basis.
Those who submit an application are also invited to attend an open house (dates on application)
If you are awarded a scholarship we will notify you a week before the class begins.
REGIONAL DATA (Wilkes-Barre, Pa)
Population 44,600 Wilkes-Barre, Pa, (Wyoming Valley 567,000)
Median Household Income $48,500
Median Property Value $108,000 (2023)
Poverty Rate 23.1% Wilkes-Barre, Pa (State average 11.6%)
SCHOLARSHIP LEVELS (Northeast Pennsylvannia Class)
Full family* income less than 30k Tuition: Free
Mid-Level family* income less than 75k Tuition: $250
Partial family* income more than 75k Tuition: $500
A *family is considered an average of four people. To determine your scholarship level (1) calculate your family's annual income (add the total amount of money your family made last year), (2) divide it by the number of people in your household, (3) multiply that amount by four. (4) The result is your average family income and that number can be used to determine what level scholarship you will receive if you are accepted into the program.
Example of a Mid-Level Scholarship for NEPa: (1) $60,000 family annual income, (2) divided by five people in a house equals $ 12,000, (3) times four equals (4) $48,000 average *family income.