News

As we may have mentioned in earlier posts....KCP was fortunate enough to get funding through Transforma's Creative Recovery Mini-Grant program. Although our proposed project was not without obstacles, we are proud to be able to contribute content to the Transforma publication. Please take a moment to look at the amazing work that Transforma has been doing in New Orleans.

And, enjoy some of the images made by our participants at the Adams St Community Center










Behind the scenes...

January-May, KCP made a weekly trip to George Washington Carver High School through an invitation from the organization Silence is Violence. Beginning with a pilot program at Rabouin High School in 2007, Silence is Violence created Peace Clubs- where local artists and art groups brought their tools to the classrooms. Since its inception, it is now expanded to multiple Orleans Parish high schools. To learn more .

Our photo club at Carver was comprised of students from the fall Peace Clubs where students had either been enrolled in a writing/bookmaking class or dance. Over the course of the 13 weeks we discussed digital camera use, showed photographs by famous photographers such as Gordon Parks and spent a lot of time specifically on portraiture and lighting. We were also lucky enough to have photographer Aubrey Edwards come in to conduct a workshop where the students were instructed on the basics of how to use strobes(flash) for portraits. Aubrey also talked to them about her project on the history of New Orleans Bounce music and culture. Students were also exposed to imagery from other young people in places such as India through the website of the organization Kids with Cameras.

The project ended with a mural that incorporated some of their portraits as well as Polaroid pictures taken around the school. The students were also encouraged to add writing.

A very belated update about a wonderful project KCP was involved in this past winter.

As part of the second phase of the Dreamcatchers Project by KIDsmART: An art program for the Porch at the 7th Ward Community Center with Xavier University's Art Department, KCP conducted a number of photo workshops with youth in the 7th Ward. The concept was "My Story" and throughout the 8-week course, the participating youth worked with different artists to assemble a book about their neighborhood and themselves. Thank you Echo, Asante, Jeffrey, Ed and Voice for making this such a great experience for us and for the kids.










Showing off the finished product!

KCP was delighted to spend a few days discussing the elements of photography as well as sharing examples of audio slideshows with the United Houma Nation youth during their week-long Summer Camp (July 6-9). Their finished projects were presented on the last day of camp. It was held at Bayou Segnette State Park, in Westwego, LA. During camp, students also experienced a variety of outdoor activities, personal growth and healthy lifestyle workshops, along with some cultural events.

The New Orleans Kid Camera Project will be creating large-scale photographs with a group in a location yet to be determined. The project is funded by Transforma Projects Creative Recovery Mini-Grant Program.

New Orleans Kid Camera Project will facilitate a group of youth in a series of workshops designed to explore 'What my neighborhood means to me". Participants will work together to design a public photography installation in their community. Students will learn technical aspects of photography, along with the role and impact that art can have on a community level. As they learn how to become visual storytellers, students will document their impressions of the community, what they feel is important, what makes them proud and what they'd like to change.

Students will take photographs in their neighborhood, engage in image-sharing sessions, and eventually select one photograph each that will be printed as large 7 X 7 feet outdoor vinyl banners to be displayed in the community. The images will be displayed in their community; outside walls of buildings that we will be granted permission to display work on. These large scale images will serve as a very public recognition of young people's voices, and a compelling glance into their neighborhood as seen through their visions. Such public art exhibitions "create an intimate reminder of who lives inside the houses that outsiders pass everyday" (Wendy Ewald, Literacy Through Photography).

To learn more about Transforma and the other projects they fund, go to Transforma