This spring I had the great privilege of facilitating a photography class in Red Hook. JustArts Photography accepts students from neighborhoods across Brooklyn, New York to participate in a digital photography class. Everyone gets to keep a new camera, has their work printed in a book, submits work for a final exhibition, AND receives a small stipend after completion of the course! Invaluable time was spent in the classroom and we visited Pioneer Works, ICP, NY Public Library and Red Hook Labs.

Excerpt from the book: "We Are One - A group of photographs from teenagers living in New York"

Teaching Artist Michelle Repiso, in collaboration with staff of the Red Hook Community Justice Center, facilitated these workshops in which the students in this internship have created their own community and this book represents their introduction to the professional world. The JustArts: Photography Program was presented by the Red Hook Community Justice Center in partnership with Red Hook Labs, Brooklyn Arts Council, and United Photo Industries. This program was made possible by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with additional support from the New York City Council and the Robin Hood Foundation.

The goals of this program were to empower participants to develop their personal voice as artists, teach participants to explore the power of visual imagery, introduce participants to industry professionals, and learn what it means to pursue photography as a career.