Photographs taken by Canada World Youth participants currently staying in Powell River will be on display starting Thursday, January 19 as an exhibit hosted by Malaspina Art Society.
The exhibit will be displayed in the main foyer of Vancouver Island University until February 8. This is the first time that the art society has arranged a show with Canada World Youth participants, who have been coming to Powell River for a number of years as part of the program.
Nicole Schlosser, a Canada World Youth participant who is helping to organize the exhibit, said the majority of the photos in the show are of Powell River and specifically the organizations that participants are performing volunteer work for. During their stay the youth are assigned a placement with a non-profit society or organization that they work with for four days per week.
“The exhibition is just a way to explore these different groups in Powell River and see them as community in themselves,” said Schlosser, “and how they affect the community of Powell River.”
There will be a few photos from Vietnam but the focus is to show Powell River through the eyes of the participants. Participants did not receive any photography training and brought to the photographs whatever talent they already had, along with their own equipment.
“The outside perspective is going to be really exciting,” said Caitlin Richardson-Bryant, curator. “A lot of the placements are places where...we’ve been there before and we’ve met the people and maybe worked there, but to have [the Canada World Youth participant’s] perspective is going to be really neat.”
Sophie Gariépy, a participant with the program, has been volunteering at Powell River Association for Community Living’s (PRACL) Community Living Place. She took photographs of crafts that PRACL clients have done at the centre.
“I found that really interesting,” said Gariépy. “Kind of proud or surprised by what they can do even if they have some disabilities. It’s for that reason I chose to take some pictures of their work.”
Loc Tuong Hun said he tries to take pictures often and not just ones of people smiling or posing for the camera. He said that it’s important to photograph people in all emotional states to have a more accurate memory of what a place, person or situation was like. Hun has been volunteering at CJMP 90.1 FM and said all participants’ photos have captured the joy of being part of a community.
“It’s a good memory and maybe it’s just a little time in your life,” said Hun, “but it’s really good when you remember you have a team, you have friends and you do something for community and for yourself.”
Canada World Youth participants have been in Powell River since late December and will be here until March. The program brings together youth from Canada and Vietnam for three-month stays in both countries.
There will be an opening reception for the show from 7 to 9 pm on Thursday, January 19. The photographers will be at the reception and there will be light refreshments served.
