Photo GalleriesView our galleries of young photographers' work! Urban Youth Programs"Every picture I take, shows a little of me" Chris, age 13 View young photographers' work from past programs! View work by previous participants in Studio 789, Wilson Foundation Academy Photo Club, at http://www.lovebirdarts.com/photoclub Urban Youth Programs at the Community DarkroomThe Center provides free arts programs to encourage personal creativity, connect young people to our community, and showcase the positive accomplishments of our youth. Our primary demographic is inner-city children from low to modest income families ranging in age from 10 - 17 years. Our participants are mostly from the southwest and northeast neighborhoods of the City of Rochester, and reflect that region's demographic (approximately 80% African-American, 15% Latino, 5% other). Many of our students benefit greatly from a hands-on visual approach to learning. Most city middle school students do not have access to a photography program at their school. Community Darkroom offers students an opportunity they would otherwise not have. Our photography programs instill the confidence, discipline and critical thinking necessary for future success in school and the workplace while teaching practical skills and nurturing self-expression. Our program goals are to:
The curriculum includes elements of composition, how to use a professional 35mm camera, field trips to community sites to take pictures, taking the cameras home to photograph friends and family, and taking portraits in the lighting studio. The students then make 8X10 black and white prints at Community Darkroom, write poetry or stories to accompany their images, create special projects or a book that incorporates their writing and photography, and produce a slide show of the photographs combined with music and spoken word. The programs conclude with a public showing of their finished work in the form of a matted and framed exhibition and/or as a multimedia presentation. More than 3500 student program hours are provided each year with the help of teachers, volunteers, parents and students. Studio 789, the Wilson Foundation Academy Photo ClubStarted in 1999, Studio 789 is a 22 week after-school photography program for 30 middle school students. Comments from students: "Thank you so much for a wonderful year. Even though other parts of the year, I struggled, you were there as a good friend. You taught me so much." "I learned that I have a photographers eye and creativity. And that I can see things differently through a camera. It was one of my greatest experiences in school." "I learned I had a talent I never had before and I’m very happy for getting this chance." "What I learned about myself is expressing myself to people and talking to them, to be comfortable with me and I be comfortable with them. I love them like family. I learned that I am capable of doing more stuff than I thought I could." Photo Express at Right-on SchoolBegun in 1997, this program provides an 11 session photography program to 30 middle school students enrolled at Right-on School, a summer enrichment program. "Community Darkroom continues to join the staff of Right-on School in providing experiences that make a diference in our children’s lives. The staff and volunteers who participated with our young peple provided avenues, through the lens of a camera, to see and appreciate the community in which they live. It became quickly obvious that both children and volunteers made connections and formed friendships throughout our five week program" - Sharon Cardoza, Director of Right-on School summer program. Comments from students: "I learned that I try to think beyond what I see when I take a picture." "I learned how to express my feelings when I am mad." "You made me feel that being a photographer is fun. Thank you for letting me find out how it is, to be what you are." "I learned the words and it made me feel like a paparazzi." |
 Youth program |
