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Young Photographers Take Close Look At Neighborhoods

Photo by NATASHA JOSEPH

This untitled photograph by middle school student Natasha Joseph took first place in the “My Neighborhood” project.

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By ESTHER HAMMER

Tribune Correspondent

Published: February 4, 2009

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts presents an inspirational and engaging exhibit of photographs taken by 24 students at Van Buren Middle School.

Called "My Neighborhood," it is a collection of pictures that captures the essence of the neighborhoods the children live in. It will be at the museum through Feb. 14.

In a preparatory and instructional meeting, the selected students first heard inspirational words from Tampa's Poet Laureate, James E. Tokley Sr. who read them a poem he had written specifically for the project. Then Tampa's 2006 Photographer Laureate, Steven S. Gregory, gave them pointers on photo techniques.

"I talked to them about composition and lighting - simple tips - because they really had never done any photo work before," Gregory said in a telephone interview. "We were looking for something beyond the typical picture of their friends hanging out. We were trying to get them to look further into their neighborhood and find what was important to them."

The participants then were given cameras and sent off. A large percentage returned with photos that covered the theme well, Gregory said. He thought there might be some promising photographers in the bunch.

"I was really impressed with the first-place winner," he said. That would be Natasha Joseph. Second place went to Tayanda Cannon and third place to Eddie Lee.

Gregory says he is up for similar projects.

"I like working with kids. Especially when you see things come back that completely surprise you. This was definitely one of those times."

See the photos and meet the artists at the opening reception of the exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the museum, 200 N. Tampa St. in downtown Tampa.

Call the museum at (813) 221-2222 for hours and information.

Visiting Artist Makes New Monoprints

Abstract painter Sam Gilliam returns next week to Studio-f on the University of Tampa campus to create a new series of monoprints.

When he last was on the campus in 2007, "he pushed the screen print media more than ever," said Dorothy Cowden, director of the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery on the UT campus.

"What he did was he printed on paper and then cut them apart and sewed the pieces back together to make the finished piece," she said. "He used a lot of concrete last time, but this year he says he's going to use more felt and less concrete. And they're going to be larger."

An artist since the 1960s, Gilliam is credited with inventing painting on the draped - or unstretched - canvas. He is known for challenging the traditional two-dimensional quality of paintings with his layered pieces of cut-up canvas that make the final work appear almost three-dimensional. He also is known for color.

"Color is important to him," Cowden said. "He always uses bright colors." His colors are often mixed with concrete. But how does one print something that has concrete in it? "Very carefully," Cowden quipped. Fortunately, her son, master printer Carl Cowden, knows how it's done.

Arriving Tuesday, Gilliam will spend two weeks working in the studio with Carl Cowden. Anyone who would like to observe the process should call Dorothy Cowden at (813) 253-6217.

The resulting series of monoprints will be on display for the public to see at a meet-and-greet open house, 6 p.m. Feb. 24 in the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery, on the UT campus in the R K Bailey Building, 310 N. Boulevard.

The gallery is also hosting the "Electronics Alive V" exhibit through March 24. To learn more about that exhibit and see video footage, visit ealive.utarts.com.

Correspondent Esther Hammer can be reached at (813) 259-7662 or ehammer@tampatrib.com.

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