The Alaska Arts Confluence and Arlington Arts Center are collaborating to bring a prestigious, five-day photography workshop for teens to Haines.
The workshop, led by Austin-based photographer Sunday Ballew and entitled “This is My Town,” is free and consists of five sessions Aug. 10-12 and 16-17. Classes will be held at the library and culminate in a reception where participants will showcase their work.
Carol Tuynman, president of the Alaska Arts Confluence, said in addition to teaching photography techniques and skills, the workshops will walk teens through the history of photography and show them how to curate an art exhibit.
“It’s a chance for kids to use photography to share their view of their community, whether it is micro or macro,” Tuynman said. “We want to offer kids as many learning opportunities as we can, and it’s summertime. It’s a great time to do extra projects.”
The “This is My City” program began at the Arlington Arts Center in Virginia. The center has collaborated with arts centers around the world, including ones in El Salvador, Mexico, and Uganda.
Jessie Morgan, education and cultural coordinator at the library, said participants will curate a show using their own work to be presented at the Aug. 17 reception. Photos from the Haines and Skagway workshops will be displayed alongside photos from other communities at the Arlington Art Center’s Jenkins Community Gallery from November to January.
“It’s giving them ownership of their community and the ability to see it from a different perspective,” Morgan said.
The five-day workshop schedule is: Aug. 10 1-4 p.m., Aug. 11 1-4 p.m., Aug. 12 11-2 p.m., Aug. 16 11-2 p.m., and Aug. 17 1-4 p.m. with a reception at 2 p.m. on the final day.
Participants can bring their own cameras, but cameras also will be available for use.