Young immigrants show their view of world in photography show
(Photo: The Sheridan Shooting Stars exhibit, on display through the end of the month at the Pierre Bottineau Library. BY MELISSA SLACHETKA)
By Melissa Slachetka
Northeast Beat ContributorÂ
A new youth camera club is sharing a peak into its lens.
These aspiring photographers are the Sheridan Shooting Stars, a group of immigrant youth in the Sheridan neighborhood.
Their photographs are on display this month at the Pierre Bottineau Library.
With a camera, a little guidance and a lot of imagination, they’re giving a glimpse of the world they see; from flowers to funny faces, they take pictures of family, friends, community activities and their neighborhood.
The kids involved come from around the world, including Africa, Europe and South America. They meet at the library and use editing software to work on their digital photography with help from mentors.
The photos include color and black and white prints. Some focus on lines and the contrast of light and shadows. Some show interesting people or people doing interesting things.
Most importantly, the pictures show things that captivate the young mind and expand horizons.
Project manager, Kirsten Rome, is the heart behind the project.
“My big task is to get people over there to see what a camera club can achieve,†Rome said.
The Shooting Stars youth project is supported by a 2007 grant from the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs. The CURA Bridging Communities grants are available to Minneapolis neighborhood groups that reach out to help immigrant communities.
Rome worked to get the photos up by the start of Art-A-Whirl. The kids selected their favorites for the show, which will be on display at the library through the end of June.
“We are in an artist- and gallery-rich area, and I have mentors waiting in the community to start working with the kids to learn about being a professional artist,†Rome said.
Rome is working to build more camera clubs in the area. She would like to reach out to more local immigrant groups and invites anyone to contact her at shooting_stars_sheridan@yahoo.com.
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Filed under: Art, Sheridan
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