Seattle's Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW) has named Annie Van Avery its new executive director. Van Avery comes to PCNW from New York City with an extensive photography background and has developed connections with a number of artistic communities nationwide.

She founded the Center for Photographic Studies in Vermont, where she served as its executive director. She has also worked as an education director for...

Ray Pfortner has been selected as the new director of education for Seattle's Photographic Center Northwest (PCNW). He is responsible for all aspects of the development and implementation of PCNW's fine-art curriculum and faculty concerns.

A previous faculty member himself, the 30-year veteran has been a photography instructor since 2001 and serves as a consultant to photographers on business practices and book publishing.

Jenifer Schramm has resigned her position as executive director of the Photographic Center Northwest. Schramm joined the nonprofit, community-based center as education director in 1998, and became executive director in 2001.

During her tenure, PCNW became a regional art center hosting classes, lectures and exhibits by internationally recognized photographers and collectors, including Bruce Davidson, Graciela Iturbide, Mary Ellen Mark, Sebastiao Salgado and Paul Brainerd.

The Photographic Center Northwest has embarked on a new phase of development by saying goodbye to Alin Shether as president. Shether began over ten years ago with a darkroom rental business and gradually expanded her vision of a unique photographic arts center.

Today’s PCNW at Twelfth and Marion in downtown Seattle boasts a gallery, rental darkrooms, classes, workshops and a school offering an...