From April 9 to May 6, 2025, Mana Contemporary in Jersey City is hosting a unique photography residency in collaboration with WORTHLESSSTUDIOS.
During this period, Sebastian Ferruzo, a self-taught photographer from Jersey City, will work out of a mobile darkroom built inside a 1973 Airstream trailer—a residency part of WORTHLESSSTUDIOS’ Photographer in Residence program. The program was created to give emerging photographers the tools and space needed for analog photography.
- Mana Contemporary operates in Jersey City, Chicago, and Miami to support artists through exhibitions, residencies, and collaborative spaces.
- WORTHLESSSTUDIOS’ residency uses a 1973 Airstream trailer converted into a mobile darkroom that visits photographers near their homes.
- Selected artists receive supplies, a $1,500 stipend, and darkroom access for up to six weeks. They are also required to create work, host a public event, and share their experience.
WORTHLESSSTUDIOS Residency: Photography on Wheels
Since 2019, WORTHLESSSTUDIOS has run a photography residency using a mobile darkroom inside a 1973 Airstream trailer. The darkroom travels to where the artist lives or works, which allows the artist to stay in their community and focus on creating new work without relocating.
This residency is different from most others. Instead of asking artists to move, the program brings the equipment to them, supporting photographers who need access to analog tools.
The current round of the program runs from October 2024 through March 2026. To be eligible, artists must live within a 3-hour drive from Brooklyn, New York. The program selects emerging photographers who rely on darkroom facilities for their practice.
What the Photographer in Residence Program Offers
Artists selected for the residency receive:
- Access to the Airstream Darkroom for up to 6 weeks
- A $1,500 artist stipend
- 5 rolls of 35mm film
- Darkroom chemistry and supplies
- 3 boxes of photo paper
- Film scanning and digital printing training
- Sponsorship from Brooklyn PrintWorks
What Artists Are Required to Do During the Residency
In return, artists must:
- Spend a minimum of 20 hours per week using the darkroom
- Create 10 original photographs that show themselves, their time in the trailer, the Airstream itself, and its surroundings
- Host one public event—such as a community photo walk, a youth darkroom tutorial, or a local critique session
- Submit a video and written testimonial about their experience to be published on the WORTHLESSSTUDIOS website
Artists must apply through an online portal. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The form does not save progress, so applicants must prepare all materials before starting.
Meet April’s Photographer: Sebastian Ferruzo
April’s featured photographer, Sebastian Ferruzo, is no stranger to deep, reflective work. A self-taught photographer based in Jersey City, Ferruzo has developed a signature style of portraits, landscapes, and still life photos into what he calls “lyric documentary.” His long-term photobook projects explore emotion and connection through subtle detail and poetic framing.
Ferruzo’s inclusion in this residency speaks to both his skill and his dedication to analog methods. He joins a growing list of talented photographers who’ve used the Airstream darkroom to refine their craft while engaging new communities.
To learn more about Ferruzo’s work, visit sebastianferruzo.com.
