Studio Membership

The goal of Aleshire Gallery is to function on a self-supporting cooperative model, where member artists have 24hr access to the studio equipment and resources. Currently, this requires signing on to the Granary lease for the space, a $300 refundable deposit, and a very affordable monthly rent contribution. If interesting in joining as an artist member, please contact Creative Director Benjamin Aleshire for more information at benaleshire@gmail.com.

Current Members: Zach Hoffman

Zach Hoffman is a photographer, educator, and advocate for the arts, deeply committed to fostering Vermont’s creative community—a place he proudly calls home.

He graduated from Montana State University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Photography, followed by a Master’s degree in Photographic Arts from Lesley University in 2014. Since then, Zach has devoted his career to practicing and teaching analog photography, bridging artistic expression with education.

In 2015, he served as an adjunct professor at Montana State University, where he mentored aspiring photographers. He also founded and operated a thriving community darkroom in Bozeman, Montana, creating a space for collaboration and hands-on learning until his move to Vermont in 2020.

That same year, Zach joined PhotoPlace Gallery, quickly becoming an integral part of its mission to elevate photographic arts. In 2025, he took on a leadership role by purchasing the gallery, ensuring its continued dedication to showcasing exceptional photography and supporting artists at all stages of their careers.

For Zach, Vermont is more than just a place to live—it is a creative home and an extended family. Through his work at PhotoPlace Gallery, he remains deeply committed to strengthening the local arts scene, fostering meaningful connections, and championing photographers both regionally and globally.

Studio Resources

Currently the gallery is equipped with a black & white darkroom (Saunders enlarger for 35mm and 120; an 8ft sink for printing up to 16x20”; an 11x14” print washer; a dryer for prints up to 16x20”; and an exposure unit for alt-process negatives up to 24x24”. We also have a Jobo processor with 16x20” tank for developing and printing in color, which is not set up yet but will be coming on-line soon.

On the digital side of things, we have a 27” iMac desktop computer for editing; a brand-new Epson V850 flatbed film scanner and Silverfast SE software; a 24”-roll HP Design Jet plotter printer; and a 44”-roll Epson 9890 printer (the latter is not currently on-line, but hopefully soon).

2 large softboxes for studio portraits; seamless paper; various strobes and hard lights from VT Center for Photography that have not been tested yet.

Other resources: a 18x24” light-table; mat-cutter; 18” paper-trimmer; 11x14” papersafe; various tools for framing (a miter saw, 90-degree clamps, etc).

For rent or class use: A Pentax K-1000 with 35mm and 50mm lenses, and flash.

Studio Wishlist:

—11x14 contact printing frame

—digital timer

—Working film or digital cameras for student and/or member use; film of any kind, memory cards, etc.

—seamless paper rolls for studio portraiture