June 1 – July 8, 2017
PRISM: Teen Photo
June 1 – June 17
A Romantic Youth: Advanced Teen Photo
June 22 – July 8
This year, Philadelphia Photo Arts Center’s (PPAC) Teen Photo had the busiest season in its seven-year history, with over 60 Philadelphia high school students taking part in the free after school program. The students’ nine months of mentorship will culminate with two final exhibitions—PRISM: Teen Photo will be displayed from June 1-17, 2017, and A Romantic Youth: Advanced Teen Photo will continue from June 22-July 8, 2017.
Pursuing the goal of increasing access to the arts and art education in Philadelphia, PPAC’s free Teen Photo program is open to any public high school student in the city. From September to May, Teen Photo provides students with full access to PPAC’s equipment, materials, and teaching staff, as well as a DSLR camera to take home for the duration of the year. Weekly, the group meets to share photos, learn technical skills, and go on gallery visits and photo walks. As students expand their thinking both critically and creatively, they build confidence and develop a love of learning that helps them grow in every aspect of their lives. In years past, Teen Photo has culminated with one final exhibition, in which each student receives an allotment of wall space in PPAC’s gallery to design as they please. This year, however, two final exhibitions are needed to properly showcase the overflow of talent.
With more Teen Photo students enrolled than ever before, this year marked the inauguration of Advanced Teen Photo, which was developed to serve the teens that have been a part of the program for more than one year. With the new challenge of accommodating two final exhibitions, PPAC called on their community for support, in the form of a Kickstarter campaign. In just one month, the campaign raised $16,910, surpassing the initial goal of $15,000. “It was so rewarding to see our community come together to invest in these driven young artists,” said PPAC Executive Director Sarah Stolfa. “Their generosity is what made these two shows possible, ensuring that every students’ artistic development gets the spotlight it deserves.”
To accompany the gallery exhibitions and commemorate the 2016/2017 Teen Photo program, the students’ work will be published in a photobook available for purchase. Just like in the gallery, each student will receive a page of their own to design and fill as they choose.
This year’s teen exhibition, PRISM, includes: Abreanna Williams, Aley Chaing, Amna Khalafalla, Andre Pak, Angelle Rivera, Ani Rowland, Ariana Rivera, Armanie Nickens, Asycurie Lombestova, Avery Martinez, Caren Teague, Casa Casañas, Ciani Batista, Donte Woodlin, Dymonique Hammond, Erika Ramirez-Lorenzo, Geneva Williams, Hunter Hedgepeth, Huong Vu, Imani Batista, Imani Jones, Jada McAden, Janiyah Buxton, Jasmine Culbreath, Jordyn Sanders, Joseph Novales, Kody Taylor, Le’Mar Nunez, Makeda Robinson, Martha Victoria, Pichmonyrath Peou, Queyana Myers, Rebecca Greenberg, Saniyah Robinson, Saphira Paul-Fils, Spencer Morris, Syreeta Williams, Talayah Ross, Yiovanny Pagan, Zaina Belgrave, and Zamir Bey.
This year’s Advanced Teen Photo exhibition, A Romantic Youth, includes: Abraham Cassis, Alexus Yiv, Ameera Polk, Avital Brodski, Brittany Moore, Danielle DiAmico, Inez Oliveras, Leila Lorenze, Lemicha Bracey, Marquis Bennett, Nathalie Adrien, Oliwia Paszkowska, Sabine Ostinvil, Selena Ortiz, Sophie Lubin, Souhanda Mohamed, Summer Blackwell, Tyteana Gutzmore, and Wesley Midgett.
Students were instructed by: Erik James Montgomery, Josh Kleiman, Amber Riveria (Teen Photo Alum), and Michelle Lee Wallace.
Barbara Chandler Allen, Jaime Alvarez, Michelle Biloon & Alex Platt, Janet Bly, Olga Boyko & Steven Miller, James Bryan, Julie Jensen Bryan & Robert Bryan, Ben Clemens, Vincent H. Dixon, Eileen Doyle, Bernadette Dye, Marvin Greenbaum, Karen Greenberg, Mary Ellen & Bill Hass, Karen Jacobson & Barry Milberg, Christopher Landy, Christine Lussier & Robert Hamill, David Matthews, Tony Mauro, Matthew McLaughlin, Jeannie Pearce & Eric Gibson, Mindy Posoff, Norma & Larry Reichlin, Harry Roth, Michael X. Ruddy, John Stolfa, Sarah Stolfa, and Ruth Thorne-Thomsen
