Our Voices, Atlanta (PP)
Photography by adults without homes, and those in transition in Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Project Manager: Bobby Abrahamson, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Our Voices, working in conjunction with The Metro Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, teaches traditional black & white photography to people without homes, and those in transition, as a means of artistic empowerment, to improve their self-esteem, and to foster a greater sense of community. The project provides a photography instructor, a darkroom, cameras, film, photographic paper, framing materials, and exhibition opportunities to its participants to enable them to discover their own voices as artists and media makers.
Our Voices participants work together, sharing a darkroom in the building where they eat and sleep. They are responsible for setting up the darkroom, mixing their own chemicals, and cleaning up after themselves. Students teach each other how to use the cameras, how to develop their own film, and how to make contact sheets and final prints. Classes meet twice per week, and include regular darkroom time, as well as time to look at and discuss each other's work and that of the photographic masters. Field trips to local galleries and museums are an integral part of the program. Students are also taken on 'shooting' field trips, to allow them more opportunities to explore different environments with their cameras.
Our Voices attempts to empower its participants by encouraging people who previously had little or no voice in their community to share their stories and identities with their neighbors. The issue of 'homelessness' often leads to negative stereotypes and uncomfortable feelings within the neighborhoods where people without homes reside. Our Voices hopes to promote a more healthy dialogue and a more positive sense of community by giving voice to these voiceless individuals.
To find out more information abou this project please go to: http://home.earthlink.net/~bobbyfoto/ourvoices/
or email project director Bobby Abrahamson at: bobbyfoto@earthlink.net