Midtown Through Young Eyes @ 620

If you go to Studio @ 620 This Saturday, you can see what 44 students from Melrose Elementary and John Hopins Middle School did during twelve days this summer. They weren't on vacation, but in a photo-journalistic summer camp where they learn the ethics,  ins and outs and camera work at a "Journeys in Journalism" summer camp that preceded the 40 photographic field trips. They also do their own interviews and write stories on laptops. The result is a collaborative documentary project of 100 photographs taken in their neighborhood, the exhibit at 620 (Saturday is the last day), the 32-page publication "Through Midtown Magazine", and a collection of the pictures from the exhibit in a book. Individual prints can also be purchased. The result is amazing. Professional in appearance, unbridled in passion, and refreshingly unconventional, I advise all local PJs to go to this exhibit, to do, as Picasso advised, steal from the great.

This drum group from John Hopkins Middle School greeted gallery goers with strong, disciplined playing. The red building behind them is Studio @ 620.

620 was well-staffed, with people handing out the magazine, tables selling books and prints, drinks, and more, including matching viewers with youthful, well-trained docents.

On the left is a picture of many, but not all of the students who created the work shown in the exhibit, magazine, and book

On the left is Deontrey James who made the photograph at the top, titled "Ball Boy". A great shot framed through a fence (?) and the counterpoint of the blue ball works beautifully. One look into the work & faces of these students and you see what a fantastic program this is. 

Dakota Haas, "Soul Food", Jordan Park St. S.

Dakota Haas had several pictures in the exhibit. She composed this picture on the right very carefully, paying attention to the tonalities and colors. Note the harmony between the food, the cabinets and logo on the cook's apron. It's a tight and expressive composition.

On the left is A. Lawson posing by his work. He didn't say much, but his eyes were roving the room, observing, taking it all in, and that's how I chose to photograph him.










On the right is "Two-Faced", by Christian Miller.

On the left is "Miss Juamita", The Chattaway, by Abigail Altieri, a beautiful, insightful portrait. Note the sign overhead.

                            People at the Gallery Opening at 620. This was early. It got busier.

This program is in its fourth year, and if the past two that I've seen are any indication, they have many more to come. What a fine thing is happening at Midtown. The future of a community is being forged. Congratulations to everyone involved.