Rochester middle schoolers are stepping behind the lens and into the darkroom, turning their perspectives into art at the George Eastman Museum. Their work — black-and-white photographs paired with original writing — will be on display in the museum’s Gallery Obscura space through May 11.
The exhibit is the culmination of months of hands-on work by students in the Flower City Arts Center’s Studio 678 Photo Club, an after-school program for Rochester City School District students in grades six through eight.
Over 25 weeks, students learned to use professional film cameras, develop Kodak film and print their own images in a darkroom. They also wrote poetry and short narratives to complement their photos and collaborated on a book that brought their stories together.
Program Coordinator Markus Essien said Studio 678 Photo Club is designed to give students creative freedom.
“It really is about student voice and choice,” he said. “And so, we’re giving them an opportunity to take pictures of things that interest them, tell their stories their way, how they want to.”
Seeing their work displayed in a museum helped students recognize the value of their perspectives; the experience also gave them a sense of ownership over their art.
The club, now in its 27th year, provides a space for students to explore photography and creative writing while documenting the world around them.
Studio 678 Photo Club is free for students and aims to make photography accessible while reinforcing skills in storytelling, problem-solving and conceptual thinking. By pairing their images with writing, students documented the world around them, capturing both personal experiences and connections to their community.
Emma Rathe, manager of programs and exhibition production at the George Eastman Museum, said learning traditional film photography gives students a deeper appreciation for the art form.
“They’re processing and developing their photographs, which I think is a surprise,” she said, “because this is a pretty outdated and rare form of photography, so we love to celebrate that here.”
Gallery Obscura regularly presents work that reflects a range of perspectives, reinforcing photography’s role as a medium for self-expression and connection. The Studio 678 exhibit marks the latest in the museum’s efforts to showcase young artists and engage the community through photography. eastman.org/GO-678PhotoClub
Stephanie Ballard-Foster is a weekend reporter for WXXI/CITY. She can be reached at sballard@wxxi.org.
This article appears in Dec 1-31, 2024.
