Archive for the ‘Workshop Update’ Category

Arbor Glen Workshop

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

My Story recently began a three week photography workshop at Arbor Glen Housing Development in Southeast Portland. We are lucky to have a small group of kids who are extremely interested in the photographic medium. As with every workshop, the kids initially express some concerns about not using digital cameras but they are immediately intrigued by our Holga cameras and the tangibility of the negatives. It’s great being able to work in small groups and give the our participants individual attention. The kids are excited about the projects and we hope to have some great final prints.

Arbor Glen Portland Oregon My Story Workshop Matt Kowal 2450 Arbor Glen Workshop

Arbor Glen Portland Oregon My Story Workshop Matt Kowal 2457 Arbor Glen Workshop

Arbor Glen Portland Oregon My Story Workshop Matt Kowal 2462 Arbor Glen Workshop

Arbor Glen Portland Oregon My Story Workshop Matt Kowal 2458 Arbor Glen Workshop

Summer Camp at New Columbia

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

This past week we completed the 3rd installment of the My Story Summer Camp. Working in conjunction with the New Columbia housing development and the Rosa Parks Boys & Girls Club, we developing communication, digital media, and arts skills. The class utilized the Rosa Parks elementary school computer lab and the Boys & Girls Club’s Media Literacy / Arts room. The completed work was shown in a mini-art show and poster prints of the students work will be showcased around the club. Below are selected student works.

“Expression is Worth a Thousand Words”

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

heidi42 Expression is Worth a Thousand Words

A while back, youth from Lifeworks “Transition Age Youth Program” (TAY) approached us with the desire to put a photo exhibit together that gives them a chance to tell their stories and show the world things they care about. Their goal was to use their photos to reach out to other youth who have had similar experiences as well as to educate those who “may not be able to relate.”

Youth from TAY are learning to overcome serious life challenges like homelessness, time spent in foster care, eating disorders, difficulties in school, varying disabilities, drug and alcohol abuse, and the absence of role models. They spearheaded an effort raise funds for this project and were rewarded for their efforts with a Youth Action Grant from the Vision into Action Coalition.

We just wrapped up a dynamic photography workshop with the youth from TAY, and we’re so proud of all they’ve accomplished. They worked hard and made beautiful images. Their photo exhibit will be in early August, and we’ll be sure to post the details soon.

Intersections : Groundwork Portland

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Our Portland is a community-based school project designed to teach students about environmental justice, brownfields, social capital, and the history of oppression in their communities. In addition to a typical science classroom-based curriculum, the students get out into the city of Portland to learn about these issues in their own communities. Community leaders are invited into the class and along for the field trips to share their experience and expertise with the students, and to demonstrate the work that is happening in Portland to impact these issues.

The term-long collaboration culminates in Intersections, an art show featuring the students’ photographic studies of their communities and the issues they examined throughout the program. Intersections is a joint program of Groundwork Portland and My Story.

Here There’s Never Any Time…

Monday, April 13th, 2009

These photographs were taken by youth living at Park Vista, a housing development in outer-South East Portland. Thank you Human Solutions, Inc. for making this workshop possible.

Hail!

Wednesday, April 1st, 2009

matthail 540x527 Hail!

Every once in a while, one of our students takes a photo that blows us away. This was taken at a SUN School class during one of those freak Portland hail storms.

New Columbia Workshop

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

rayanna2 540x531 New Columbia Workshop

araina1 540x531 New Columbia Workshop

rayanna3 540x531 New Columbia Workshop

miranda21 540x536 New Columbia Workshop

tyree1 540x531 New Columbia Workshop

ariana21 540x531 New Columbia Workshop

A selection of images our Winter 2009 workshop at New Columbia Housing Development in Portland, Oregon.