Photo taken at Musikfest by Traver Tilley, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Bethlehem, Pa.–A dozen area residents are working toward a brighter future as they learn the art of photography at Musikfest 2009 as part of a new, high-tech job skills program. The Musikfest Photo Documentary Project is made possible through a partnership between ArtsQuest, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board Inc. and PA CareerLink, and Olympus America Inc.
The Photo Documentary Project is a five-week job skills program that is teaching unemployed and economically disadvantaged adults ages 18-24 digital imaging, desktop publishing and photojournalism. The participants spent last week in ArtsQuest’s Olympus Digital Imaging Center at the Banana Factory learning how to operate Olympus E410 Digital SLR cameras and high-quality lenses donated by Olympus Imaging America Inc. This week, through Aug. 9, they are attending Musikfest, where they will discover how to cover the festival as if they were photojournalists on assignment.
"This project offers instruction to young adults in the high-tech skills that they may not have received in school," says ArtsQuest director of visual arts and education Janice Lipzin. "Instruction in digital photography, desktop publishing and handling oneself on assignment all translate in viable job skills that will serve them well for their future endeavors."
"The mission of the Olympus Digital Imaging Center at the Banana Factory is to make digital photography accessible to everyone," Lipzin added. "By training disadvantaged young adults we are achieving that mission. Olympus’ generous donation of cameras to the participants gives them the tools to continue their knowledge and experience in the field."
Ryan Hulvat, artist-instructor for the project, says the students have embraced the opportunity to learn photography and other high-tech skills.
"They are amazing students. They’ve learned very quickly and they’re very enthusiastic about getting going," says Hulvat, who is assisted by Adam Atkinson and Lenora Dannelke. "I’m teaching them solid photography skills, as well as introducing them to historical photographers who we still gain inspiration from and critical thinking skills. We want them to not just photograph Musikfest, but to discover what Musikfest means to the community, to the artists, to the volunteers, to Bethlehem as a whole, and how they can express that visually."
The Photo Documentary Project is made possible through a grant from Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board Inc. and PA CareerLink’s Career FORCE youth initiative. The project, the only arts program to receive funding this summer through the Career FORCE youth initiative, will culminate with an exhibition at the Banana Factory in October. An exhibit reception, during which the public can meet the project’s participants, will take place Friday, Oct. 2, from 6-9 p.m. In addition to the exhibit, the students in the project will compile their images and essays into a hardbound book that documents their experiences during the five-week program.
"We were pleased to provide funding for ArtsQuest’s Photo Documentary Project with our Career FORCE youth initiative made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board Inc. and PA CareerLink," says Nancy Dischinat, executive director of the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board Inc. "The innovative program reinforces the importance of introducing young adults to the arts and training them with the skills they will need to succeed in future careers."
"The Photo Documentary Project is an exciting example of what our community can do when we all work together," Dischinat added. "ArtsQuest is providing the facility and professionals to operate the program, Olympus has made a generous donation of digital cameras and the Career FORCE youth initiative has provided funding to make it possible."
"We’ve proudly supported the Banana Factory since moving to the Lehigh Valley in 2006," said John Knaur, senior product manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. "The Banana Factory offers great opportunities for the community in all the arts, including photography classes, and being a good corporate citizen has been a piece of the Olympus fabric long before it became trendy."
— Text provided by ArtsQuest
Photo taken at Musikfest by Emmanuel Green, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Cayla Marley, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Cayla Marley, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Cristina Villacis, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Cristina Villacis, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Emmanuel Green, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by John Heller, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by John Heller, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Justin Gifford, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Justin Gifford, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Nick Keeney, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Nick Keeney, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Traver Tilley, a student
in the Photo Documentary Project
Photo taken at Musikfest by Ryan Hulvat, instructor
for the Photo Documentary Project
Lehigh Valley Source 