Photo Galleries
View 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 current work by
participants in Studio 789, Wilson Foundation Academy Photo Club, at
http://www.lovebirdarts.com/photoclub
Urban Youth Programs at the Community Darkroom
The 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:
- develop technical and creative skills in the arts
- foster greater awareness of cultural, historical, social, educational, and
business resources in the community through field trips
- encourage team work skills through the completion of projects
- apply and integrate academic subjects in the artistic field
- provide mentoring relationships with adults
- increase self-discipline, self-awareness, and self-confidence through
accomplishment in the arts
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.
Studio 789, the Wilson Foundation Academy Photo Club
Started 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."
Cameras and Clay at Corpus Christi School
Established in 1994, the Cameras and Clay program is an 8 session in-school
arts program for approximately 40 children. Ceramics is offered to the
second-grade class; photography to the fifth graders.
Comments from fifth grade students:
"I learned that photography is an art and I am an artist and I learned to be
patient to get a good photo of something and capture its essence."
"I learned that mistakes don’t matter. I do learn something new every day."
"I discoverd I was a hard worker and able to do anything I put my mind to
and I can be very careful."
"These teachers helped me have a blast and learn at the same time. "
Photo Express at Right-on School
Begun 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."
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Youth program
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