Tampa Photo Exhibit Presents World Through Eyes Of Disadvantaged Kids

TAMPA, FL — While they make lack the technical skills of American landscape photographer Ansel Adams or access to celebrates of portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz, their eye for composition and ability to view everyday objects in a unique way belies their age.

In an exhibit that will run July 22 to Sept. 11, visitors to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts will have an opportunity to view the world through the eyes of children age 9 and up from underserved communities and see how a pair of dice, a slinky and bubbles can be turned into works of art.

Children’s Visual Literacy Through Photography has long been a favorite project of staff and educators at the museum at 400 N Ashley Drive, Cube 200, Tampa, said Zora Carrier, executive director.

"The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts believes that photography offers children an incredible opportunity to grow and acquire new skills, especially underserved children," she said. "The children’s Visual Literacy Through Photography program is FMoPA’s effort to ensure children make the most out of that opportunity."

Targeting children in communities where extracurricular activities are limited, the museum teaches basic photography techniques to the kids and then hand them each a basic digital camera, with none of the macro or telephoto lenses, the filters or studio lights on which professional photographers depend.

Provided with the tools for creative expression, the kids are let loose with their cameras to explore the world through a lens. The results have amazed even veteran photographers.

Afterward, the museum staff prints their photos and displays them in the museum's Community Gallery, hosting an opening event for the kids and their families with all the festivities of any gallery exhibit.

"Each year we commemorate the memories made and the hard work done by each student, allowing the students to show off their art to their parents and the community," Carrier said.“It is always a pleasure to see the children’s work each year. It makes us at FMoPA happy to know that we can give back to the community by teaching the art form that we love most.”

This year's opening reception will take place Friday, July 22, at 5 p.m.

"FMoPA’s photography workshops provide an incredible opportunity for growth and the acquisition of critical thinking strategies, social-emotional intelligence, problem-solving, teamwork, technical skills and endless other proficiencies that equip children to succeed in school and professional careers," Carrier said.

The program has also proven therapeutic for children suffering from trauma, PTSD and autism, and its universal language has smoothed the way for kids having challenges with cultural integration, she said.

"Past programs have produced beautiful work and memories and have started children on a path toward excellence," Carrier said.

In addition to the Literacy Through Photography program for children age 9 and up, FMoPA offers Social-Emotional Learning Through Photography for children age 3 and up.

"Before children enter school and understand the world outside of their homes and families, there is much to learn about interacting with others and understanding their own social-emotional needs," said Carrier. "Through the power of photographic art, children learn to understand their feelings, surroundings, state of being, along with nuanced, intangible and abstract concepts children need to experience to mature socially and emotionally mature."

To learn more, click here.

The museum is open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday.