Prior to the founding of Spectrum in 1980 there was no space in the Fresno area for consistently exhibiting photography, and it became a hub for photographic artists. Many local photographers as well as out-of-towners such as Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, and Imogen Cunningham were featured in its tiny gallery space.

Why Fine Art Photography
(1) Photography makes sense of the world as a tool to address urgent issues of our society and culture.
(2) Fine art photography gives the community a historical, visual, and cultural context and adds to the historical memory of place. For example, Richard Harrison, a long-standing Spectrum photographer, has a large archive of images of the Central Valley.
(3) Photographs let us see ideas manifest. It is communication. It is healing. It tells our story and is a shared experience. We need art to keep us connected, to fill in the gaps.
Programs and Services
(1) Fresno’s “ArtHop,” a well-attended event sponsored by the Fresno Arts Council to promote community awareness of the arts.
(2) Workshops, presentations, print, idea, or image sharing, and field trips. Most events are free to the public.
(3) Contributes its gallery space to other non-for-profit community events such as the Rogue Festival, Taste & Toast of the Tower, and the Fresno Camera Club.
(4) Member exhibits
(5) Have built meaningful relationships with Fresno colleges: teachers at Fresno City College assign students to come to gallery, and Cal State Fresno students come in on regular basis.