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09.03.09 | Photography program seeks to encourage expression through the arts and storytelling, build self esteem
The Dennis and Phyllis Washington Foundation recently provided a grant to Our Community Record Two Eagle River School in Pablo, Montana, a project sponsored by A VOICE-Art Vision & Outreach In Community Education. OCR seeks to encourage junior high and high school students to explore and document their community, culture and history through storytelling and photographic study.
OCR is a collaborative artist in residency project with noted photographer and author David J. Spear. Spear works directly with the students to develop their storytelling skills through photography. The curriculum in Spear’s course is designed to compliment other areas such as history and English.
Spear explains the program has a unique approach. Whereas many photography projects are from an outsider’s perspective, the OCR project encourages students to tell the story of their lives as they see it, and share that story with their community.
In one exercise, the students and Spear traveled to his studio for an introduction to portraiture. In this setting, the students had the opportunity to work much as a crew would on a professional shoot. In teams of three or four, students each took on the role of photographer, light manager and subject. "At first, everyone froze,” says Spear, “but once the process got going, they just kind of took off with it.”
After capturing a variety of portraits, students edited and selected a single photo to express themselves. Spear notes the process is quite eye-opening for many students. “It engaged them as well as empowered them to see themselves in the role of a photographer." Spear continued, "What often occurs is that the students realize it is okay for them to have a picture of themselves.” Spear noted a particularly memorable reaction by one student, “[until then], she had never seen a photograph of herself that she liked.”
At the end of each term the students’ work is displayed in the school gallery and highlights from the year are shown in Pablo at the community art event, Art Slam. As a last step, the photographs are archived for future use and enjoyment by the community.
A selection of photos from the OCR project. While in the program, students engage in a variety of photography and visual arts exercises including portraiture, lighting and editing. All photos used by permission of Our Community Record at Two River School. |
