Chatham Square, “Through A Child’s Eyes”
by Amy Larkin Gelbach | December 21, 2007 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Maybe I’ve been going to the wrong art openings, but I have never met an artist’s extended family, had an artist stick their tongue out at me, or received a personal tour of an artist’s entire showing — while holding their hand. Last night all three of these delightful occurrences happened within 30 minutes. I was also given a candy cane and told I was pretty by an artist in a fancy party dress and pigtails.
Not to mention - the art was good. And not just good. Inspiring.
Neighborhood and Community Through a Child’s Eyes, an exhibit featuring the photography of Chatham Square neighborhood children, held Thursday night at Exposure Gallery, also featured these shining new art stars in person. Aged 6 to 11, the eight artists were participants in a six-week summer program sponsored by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, organized by Kevin Ewing and facilitated by volunteers.
The most recent incarnation of an ongoing community initiative to improve and revitalize Chatham Square — an effort which has heretofore included festivals, fundraising, and the organization of a neighborhood association — the images captured speak to the vibrancy and diversity of the neighborhood; both its people and its landscape. (Click here and here for previous stories on that effort.)
The captions, written by the young artists — literally, in pencil on the triple-lined paper we all remember from grade school — also speak to this neighborhood’s richness, to its specific nuances, and heritage. Most importantly, however, the images and their captions articulate Chatham Square as a community, as the place its young residents call home. In viewing the images they sought out and captured, in reading their explanations of these images, we are in fact glimpsing a slice of their lived reality, a moment in their everyday existence writ large.
It is a reality worth seeing and an existence worth supporting.
Stop by Exposure Gallery at One Whitney Avenue where the photographs will be on display Friday, Dec. 21 from 12-6 and Saturday, Dec. 22 from 12-4. If you like what you see, call 203-777-7074 to learn how you can support community work in Chatham Square. Or, better yet, simply walk around the corner to the foundation’s offices on Audubon Street and drop off a check.
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Comments
Posted by: Lee | December 21, 2007 3:13 PM
If you attended the opening last night please share your thoughts, the children who took the photographs worked hard and it would be great to be able to give them feedback.
If you did not attend the exhibit, it is still up today, Friday until 6pm, tomorrow Saturday 12noon to 4pm. don't miss it and please provide feedback for the children.
Posted by: Libby | December 21, 2007 9:09 PM
My daughters and I were involved in the program, and it was fantastic. Thank you, Lee, Kevin, Paula, Lisa, Tasha, Anthony, Rob, Meredith, Josh, and, of course, all of our wonderful kids for making this such a special experience!
Posted by: Jennifer Jane | December 21, 2007 10:36 PM
Thank you Amy for such a wonderful story here!
A special thank you to all of the Chatham Neighborhood children who were so full of creativity to make the vibrant photographs for this exhibition, to John Hill and Sven Martson for printing the children's photographs, and especially to The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven, Lee Cruz and Kevin Ewing for their vision and inspiration to enlighten these children's, their families and our lives at Exposure Gallery of Photography!
Posted by: Hope | December 27, 2007 10:53 AM
The exhibit was great, great, GREAT! I was floored by how perceptive the photos were--they presented unique views of a very unique and vibrant neighborhood. Each of the young artists put a lot of thought and pride into their work--and seeing our own little corner of the world bloom through their eyes brought tears to my own. This was a truly wonderful community event. Bravo!!!
Posted by: Paula Walker | January 1, 2008 5:05 PM
This was a wonderful experience for me I enjoyed every minute of it. I thought the pictures were amazing and I am very proud of them. I hope this is something the children will take with them forever. Both Chris and Matt had a great time in the program.I want to thank all the parents and volunteers who made the commitment to be there each week. We couldn't have pulled it off without your help. I am forever greatful.I also would like to thank the Gallery for showcasing the children work. I can't find the words to express my appreciation. Last but not least, my biggest gratitude goes to the The Community Foundation of Greater New Haven without them none of this would have been possible. Thank you Chattam Square Resident.
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