Twenty
young persons from inner-city communities are now participating in a digital
photo summer workshop under the theme: 'To Shoot or Not to Shoot ... Click is
the Answer".
Selected from designated "safe communities", Mountain View/Rose Town, and Dunkirk/Trench Town, which are showing progress under the Violence Prevention Alliance's (VPA) Safe Communities Initiative, the youngsters, according to VPA Chairman Professor Barry Chevannes, "have begun an exciting journey through this programme."
Professor Chevannes said this contemporary arts project, which is the brainchild of celebrated Jamaican photographer Albert Chong, in collaboration with colleagues, Wayne Chen and Maxine Stowe, results from "the promotion of the art form in Jamaica to impact the culture of violence that is becoming entrenched."
A
sustainable programme
He said that "cooperation between primary sponsors SuperPlus, Jamaica Creative Artists Action Network (JCAN) and the VPA, is aimed at developing a sustainable programme that provides opportunities for young people from violence-prone communities to develop their creative talent and identify career opportunities, as they explore and experiment using photography and art, not only as a medium of self-expression and development, but also as a means to promote attitudinal change, self-knowledge and empowerment."
On completion of the workshop on August 12, the photographs will be displayed at Oakton House in Half-Way Tree for a week-long exhibition. The proceeds from the sale of their work will contribute to their back-to-school expenses.
