One of the treats of being an Aperture Work Scholar is the opportunity to meet and work with the many celebrated photographers, artists and writers going in and out of the Aperture office to look at proofs, review portfolios as well as discuss and propose projects. Most recently photographer Richard Misrach whose book Destroy this Memory was recently released by Aperture, stopped by for a quick visit!

Earlier in the week the photographer was honored at Aperture’s Benefit and Auction, gave a talk and book signing at The Strand to promote Destroy this Memory, and spent some time signing more books for Aperture Bookstore’s stock. To move things along, Richard, a few Aperture staff and I formed an assembly line and were able to quickly get through 100 or so books. Thank you Richard!

Just as Richard was getting ready to leave Hank Willis Thomas, author of Pitch Blackness, made a special appearance at the office, and the two esteemed Aperture photographers got to meet each other for the first time. Each of them signed their books for each other and got to share a brief but momentous occasion.

This Work Scholar post is by Communications intern Avril Kuo.

Avril is a recent graduate of Wellesley College where she studied art history and economics. Her favorite Aperture books are New York Rises and Black Passport. Avril enjoys figuring out how to use her Mamiya medium format camera and raiding her mother’s closet for vintage finds.

From the Work Scholar’s Desk is a new series on the Exposures blog presenting a behind the scenes look at Aperture’s many events, projects, the book making process, the Aperture Portfolio Prize and more from the perspective of Aperture’s Work Scholars. The Work Scholar program at Aperture places individuals of promise in the midst of Aperture’s various departments, engaging interns in the day to day activities of the institution.

Upcoming Events with these two Artists:

Lecture and Book Signing with Richard Misrach at SF Camerawork
Tuesday, November 30, 2010 7:00 pm

SF Camerawork
657 Mission Street 2nd floor
San Francisco, California

Conversations Among Friends with artists Hank Willis Thomas and Leslie Hewitt in conversation with curator Eva Respini at MoMA
Tuesday, November 30th, 7:00pm

MoMA
11 West 53 Street, Theater 2
New York, New York

Bruce Davidson, Honoree Richard Misrach and Aperture Trustee Joel Meyerowitz

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A big thank you to all who attended Monday night’s Aperture Foundation 2010 Benefit and Auction honoring Steven Ames, Richard Misrach and Julie Saul. The evening was an amazing success followed by the happening Snap! Benefit Party, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the generous support of Aperture patrons.

Click through the gallery above to see the party pictures.

Detail from Untitled, 2008 by Richard Misrach

Join Aperture for its 2010 Benefit and Auction on November 1st honoring photographer Richard Misrach; collector, philanthropist, former Aperture Trustee Steven Ames; and gallerist Julie Saul. This year’s auction will be Aperture’s largest ever with opportunities to bid on an exciting roster of prints by Diane Arbus, Bruce Davidson, Susan Meiselas, Joel Meyerowitz, Curtis Mann, Mickalene Thomas, Paul Strand, James Welling, Hank Willis Thomas and Kehinde Wiley among others.

Directly following the Benefit and Auction, the first-ever SNAP! Benefit Party and Emerging Artists Silent Auction hosted by SNAP!, Aperture’s Young Patrons Program will feature music spun by special guests DJs, an open bar, and great raffle prizes. The Emerging Artists Auction includes rising photographers such as Timothy Briner, Jen Davis, Adam Krause, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Will Steacy and many more.

Click here to preview silent and live auction items

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets to the 2010 Benefit and Auction

Click here for more details and to purchase tickets to the 2010 SNAP! Benefit Party