Students from HW and Humanitas Academy of Art and Technology Collaborate on Photography Project

Two groups of photography students have joined forces to tell an important story about their diametrically divergent communities.

Students from Harvard-Westlake have collaborated with students from the Humanitas Academy of Art and Technology (HAAT), a public high school in East LA, to make a 21st century, vibrant documentary portrait of where “we” live, covering a wide range of territory--from wealthy suburbs to urban blue-collar and under-privileged neighborhoods.

This collaboration is being directed by Joe Medina, middle school photography teacher at Harvard Westlake, and Joan Dooley, photography teacher at HAAT.

The exhibit will be open at the dnj Gallery at Bergamot Station (Santa Monica) from May 16 through June 20.

According to Mr. Medina, “This project is inspired by a belief in the power of photography as an educational tool and a desire to help people communicate the way they see their lives and their communities. The project also aims at encouraging students to respond to artistic challenges that will push their creative and technical boundaries.”

Photo Credit: Kate Von Mende ‘18.