Charles Darr has long had an immutable obsession with capturing scenes from life, and he has been making photos and videos since his childhood. He grew up poor in the underserved immigrant neighborhood of Maryvale in West Phoenix, where people generally took what they could get. Transforming the world into pictures, Charles learned he could take a lot.
According to Charles, “photography enables transmission between the physical and metaphysical domains. We point cameras out into the world like antennae in an attempt to capture signals of meaning in the same way that we use metal rods to bait lightning. To photograph is to experiment with what it is like to exist, and to explore how we can engage with our existence. Then, as a result of that experimentation, if we pay close enough attention, we may develop a new understanding of, and appreciation for, the chance to be alive.”
Charles also has a master’s degree in sustainability solutions and close to a decade of experience working with mission driven organizations, serving various roles from grant writer, to executive director, to board member. He has utilized his photography and video production abilities, along with his proficiency in writing, to produce strategic outreach assets such as website copy, proposals, press kits, newsletters, blog posts, social media content, and print collateral. When he is not creating for himself, Charles insists on using his talents to promote missions that advance social well-being and environmental stewardship.
SELECT CLIENTS
SELECT CLIENTS
CURRICULUM VITEA
Selected Solo and Two-Person Exhibitions
2014 Charles Darr Portraiture—Lost Leaf Gallery
2013 Technological Isolation—Cartel with David Blakeman
2010 Amnesia—Vanity Gallery with Andrew Hammerand
Selected Juried Exhibitions
2024 Light of Day, Juried by Laura Spalding Best—Shemer Art Center
2016 INFOCUS Juried Exhibition of Self-Published Photobooks—Phoenix Art Museum
2011 Epeolatry, Juried by Bucky Miller—Step Gallery
2010 Elsewhere, Juried by Robert and Shana ParkeHarrison—Northlight Gallery
2009 An Equation of the Fanciful and Bizarre, Juried by Joel Meyerowitz—Northlight Gallery
Selected Group Exhibitions
2012 Art Detour—First Studio
2011 Peace Makers—Pravus Gallery
2010 Suggestion—Lost Leaf Gallery
Dilemma—Gallery 100
Beer as Art—THINK! Gallery
2009 PHXAM—The Compound
DECK III—Pravus Gallery
Group show—Rdist
Group show—Alwun House
Photography exhibition—Green
Education
2020 Master of Sustainability Solutions—Arizona State University
2010 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography—Arizona State University
2007 Associate of Arts—Scottsdale Community College
Selected Professional Photography and Videography Experience
2025 Faculty Associate in Art—Arizona State University
2024 3D LiDAR scans and photography for DESERT PULSE—ScanLAB Projects +
Desert Botanical Garden
Program photography—Skate After School
Promotional video—VetCORE Nonprofit
2023 Program photography—Foster Alliance
2022 Promotional video—Suns Legacy Partners
2021 Cinematographer—Current Revolution: Nation in Transition
Editor, program video for U.S.Vets—Inquire Films
Promotional video and program photography—Thrive Consultancy
2020 Program videos—ASU President’s Office
Climate Action Plan photography—City of Tempe
Program video—Arizona Sustainability Alliance
2016 Grip—The Encounter, TV Series
2013 Portraiture photography for Kehinde Wiley Opening—Phoenix Art Museum
2010 Intern—Jesse Rieser Photography
Selected Sustainability Projects
2023 Development of S.K.A.T.E. & Create alternative learning program—Cowtown S.K.A.T.E. Nonprofit
2021 Cinematographer, Nation in Transition documentary—American Resilience Project
2020 Sustainable purchasing policy framework research—City of Tempe
2019 Zero waste analysis—Oakland Athletics
Equitable transit access analysis—City University Hong Kong
Green infrastructure analysis—Arizona State University
2018 Save Water, Drink Beer documentary—Sinagua Malt
Publications and Press
2022 Grab Your Boards, It’s Time to Skate for the Kids—Arcadia News
2017 Charles Darr: Seeing Artists in Their Environments—Java Magazine
2016 Stars to Satellites—Self-published
2012 100 Creatives—Phoenix New Times
2011 Imagine PHX—Phoenix New Times
2010 No Fixed Plan—Self-published
Artist Talks
2017 Remote Artist Lecture—University of New Mexico
2010 Visiting Artist Lecture—Prescott College