Black Belt 100 Lenses has just had an exhibit opening in Demopolis at the Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital on Sunday, October 2. The exhibit includes students’ photos, creative writing, and biographies from the 2011 Summer Camp. The exhibit will be up through December.
View a slide show of photos taken during the week of the summer camp, June 5-9, 2011…
For the 2010 summer camp, artist Rhys Greene, along with Linda Munoz and Robin Junkin, worked with 100 Lenses camp participants to create a glass mosaic. This mural now hangs in downtown Gordo on the side of Mayor Craig Patterson’s bookstore. Listen to audio from the mosaic dedication during the 2011 Summer Camp…Gordo mural dedication
BLACK BELT 100 LENSES FEATURED AT THE bama theatre’s JUNIOR LEAGUE GALLERY
(Tuscaloosa) The Arts Council will present an exhibit featuring the photography from the 2011 Black Belt 100 Lenses project from July 7 – 27, 2011 in the Bama Theatre’s Junior League Gallery. An opening reception will take place on July 7 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. during Art Night. The exhibit will be comprised of photographs and narratives from 36 – 50 public and private high school students from the twelve counties comprising Alabama’s Black Belt region. The opening will be in conjunction with the “Mosaic Quilts” opening reception at the Bama’s Greensboro Room Gallery during the same evening.
Selected by an advisory committee, participants were chosen based on creative submissions. The students were then given cameras and were instructed to explore their communities and document what was important in their lives and the region. Participants then attended a summer camp at UA where they worked in conjunction with other students on creative photography activities and designed the exhibit. They also had the opportunity to hear from community leaders and historians, participate in creative writing workshops, collaborate with local artists and generate ideas to improve their communities. The students will meet and work with local leaders on a community-based project as a follow-up to the camp. In addition to the exhibit at the Junior League Gallery, the exhibit will appear at other venues throughout the state.
The 2011 Summer Camp will be held June 5-9.
The annual Black Belt 100 Lenses Summer Camp is open to selected high school students (current and incoming) from all 12 counties of the Black Belt region. Participating students will spend a week on the University of Alabama campus to develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the history and people of the Black Belt region through photography, writing, discussion and multiple hands on activities.
For more information, see the Black Belt 100 Lenses Camp page.
Reuben Jones was born in Thomasville, AL in 1991. He started public school at Weller Elementary in Springfield, MO, where he was raised during ages 3-9. He moved to Magnolia, AL in 2001, where he enrolled into Marengo High School. He remembers his second grade teacher encouraging him that great things were destined for his life, and has received several awards for: Honor roll, outstanding conduct, the 2009 Marengo High School Mascot, and the Marengo High School Gospel choir. He is also a 2010 high school graduate. So, the big question is “What’s Next?” Reuben plans to attend Alabama Southern Community College in the coming fall, and would like to major in Culinary Arts. His biggest plan is to become a famous singer/actor someday and be able to give back to his community.
Mercedes of course like the car.
Worried with most actions of tomorrow.
Pretty smile and hidden thoughts.
Born on September on the twenty eighth of 1995. You may could find her in the little town of Silas, Alabama. She has no husband and no children, but she has three sisters, two brothers, and three dogs. She enjoys photography and drawing. She wants to go to the University of Alabama for her photography career that she wants. For now she is a Freshman at Southern Choctaw High School. She has made the A and B honor roll, she’s in the SGA, and is also in the BETA club.
Mercedes has loved drawing since her first art class, which didn’t last long. But she has been drawing since she was little and doesn’t plan on stopping, unless she loses her hands. Her love of photography has came from drawing. To express yourself means a lot and photography was perfect. And writing goes along with it all. To tell your own story. And that’s what matters.
Jacob Milhouse, a Dallas County’s Keith High School student, was suggested for the Black Belt 100 Lenses Summer Camp by a number of his teachers and school counselor. He was recommended based on his involvement in current community groups and programs such as Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG), Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Student Government Association (SGA), and Future Leaders of Tomorrow. His activeness in each of these programs and go-getter attitude were major factors in him being chosen. Due to being very particular about the programs he signs up for, he hesitated but quickly signed up after discovering photography would play a role. He wishes to attend the Atlanta campus of Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) and earn an M.F.A. in Interactive Media & Web Design, and minor in dramatic writing. Jacob hopes that his photos are thought provoking and visually pleasing. In an effort to maintain the mystique to his photos, he simply adds a short line for them, hoping the audience will take from his images what they may.
January 10, 2008
