Youth Perspectives: Amador Photography Club Displays Work in Pleasanton Library

The young adult section in the Pleasanton Public Library just got a lot more artistic with a new exhibit from Amador Valley High School's Photography Club.

The exhibit provides students with the opportunity to showcase their work through a display case and along a wall with black and white and color photographs that include a range of subjects, such as nature, dogs, water polo, children, and surfboards.

In late April, club members and their families gathered at the display for a reception with teen librarian Teresa Parham, who had the idea for the photo exhibit after seeing Livermore Library's artwork wall.

Parham contacted members of the photography club, who enthusiastically embraced the idea.

 "We hope to make this the beginning of a new relationship between the library and the high school art departments so the public can see what the students are creating," said Parham.

Along with the photographs— which include color film, black and white digital and color digital pictures—the display includes old-fashioned cameras and strips of negatives to enhance  the artistic experience.

Parham is especially excited about the display because the children's section of the library has a mural and adults often display art in the conference rooms.

"Our goal is for this area to be a place for teen artwork," said Parham, "and we hope to expand the showcase to include ceramics, painting, digital arts, and other student art forms."

For the next display, she hopes to include Foothill High School and Village High School.

Visitors to the library are encouraged to take a moment to view the display, which includes a photograph of a tree by club member and Amador senior Taylor Woolsey taken during her visit to Africa this summer, and another member photograph that captures the shocking Holocaust Memorial at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco.

The photography display in the young adult area of the Pleasanton Public Library will be available for viewing until the first weekend in June. High school students wishing to participate can email Teresa Parham at tparham@ci.pleasanton.ca.us.