Local Youth Learn About Digital Photography
An AGOG Initiative
From Arts in Guelph- September/October, 2004
by Anna Contini
The Student Photography Projecthas given 15 Grade 7 and 8 students a unique opportunity to learn about digital photography and the multi-faceted process of developing a gallery exhibition. The pilot project was made available to the senior classes at Willow Road Public School and is an initiative of the AGOG Visual and Media Arts Celebration.
One of AGOG's primary goals is "to raise awareness of visual and media arts while connecting professional artists with the community," says AGOG director Deborah Davis. Photography is not covered in the regular school curriculum and yet many youth are very interested in digital technology and the mounting of an art exhibit. So the Student Photography Project seemed destined for success. Suzanne Riley, the Visual Arts teacher at Willow Road, was very supportive of the project and digital cameras were made available through the Upper Grand District School Board.
The Student Photography Project was officially launched during the 2003-04 school year. Three Guelph photographers - Dean Palmer, Olivia Brown and Ross Davidson-Pilon - were brought on board in addition to Macdonald Stewart Art Centre Curator Dawn Owen, Graphic Designer Kathe Gray, and other professionals in the community. Interested students were required to make a formal application to the program indicating why they were interested in participating. In the end, fifteen students were broken into three groups of five, each led by one of the photographers.
After a basic introduction to digital photography, students were asked to choose a theme. The range of topics included landscapes, portraits, feet, computers, chairs and conversations. Each student was asked to select only one image their which they had to title. These images will form the basis of the Student Photography Project and will be exhibited October 9 to 31 at the Barber Gallery, 167 Suffolk Street West, Guelph, as part of the AGOG Festival.
Throughout the winter and spring, students participated in two field trips to the Macdonald Stewart Art Centre they met with curator Owen and designer Gray to learn about mounting a show, promotion and publicity. They also visited the Barber Gallery where they gained valuable insight about the framing process. This fall the same students will regroup to design invitations, disseminate publicity and organize the official opening.
The Student Photography Project has gone far beyond teaching youth how to take pictures. School-age youth have been given the invaluable opportunity of working alongside and learning from professionals in our community. For photographers like Dean Palmer being with the students "was a blast." "Their enthusiasm was infectious and it was always interesting to see how they interpreted their assignments," says Palmer who took the students into his studio and several other downtown venues.
The Student Photography Project is a fine example of networking at its best. Congratulations to all involved!