Photo credit: Ryan Ammon
Five YMCA WA services joined forces with World Press Photo Perth to deliver a series of nine photography and multi-media workshops from January 16th-20th, and the sessions were a huge success with 26 young people taking part.
Samples of the pieces captured and created by the young people in the workshops will be on show at YMCA HQ on Friday February 17th, at an exhibition that will coincide with a preview of World Press Photo’s International and local work.
As well as the two photography exhibitions, YMCA HQ will be hosting the final weekend of Fringe Festival in Leederville on the 17th, with ‘Anna & Liv’ the theatrical production from 7pm and ‘Stand Up, Skit Down’ comedy show following suit at 8:30pm.
The gallery with the workshop photos will be open from 5pm-9pm, and the World Press Photo preview event will be screened in the HQ skate park at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.
During the workshops, the 11-17 year olds were given free-reign to document any aspect of their lives, and many used the opportunity to touch on a variety of subjects including strategies they use to deal with their emotions and difficult circumstances, as well as ambitions they hold for the future.
The sessions were run by Queensland-based, award-winning photographer Raphaela Rosella, who came to Perth exclusively to lead the free program for participants from YMCA WA’s Future Links, YTime and The Base @ Belmont programs.
YMentoring manager Tim Galloway said the impact the workshops had on the participants was extremely rewarding, as per the responses he received from the young people’s parents and guardians.
“A guardian for two of the young people who participated advised me that the girls, who have experienced homelessness and parental incarceration, used the opportunity of telling their own stories to make peace with some of the difficulties in their past and she believed the experience had been very healing for them,” Tim explained.
Another response Tim received read: “Thank you so very much for allowing my daughter to take part in this week's photography workshops. She had a great time, learnt so much and made some great new friends - thank you to you, Raphaela and all of your dedicated staff for making this such a memorable experience.”
‘Stories from Home’ at HQ’s gallery in Leederville will be showcased to potentially up to 200 people on opening night, and will remain open until Thursday February 23rd.
“With World Press Photo screening some of their press photography work at the venue outside it creates a fantastic opportunity to expose both sets of work to new audiences,” Tim said.
“We’re fortunate to be able to offer this program free of charge to participants through the City of Belmont’s sponsorship of The Base, the Department for Child Protection and Family Support who sponsor YTime, the City of Serpentine Jarrahdale, and Warnbro Community High School through YMCA WA’s Future Links program.”
Information on World Press Photo’s preview and the other shows happening at HQ on the night are available here: https://www.fringeworld.com.au/whats_on/all_events/keywords/first%20floor/page/1/