Finding Voice Photography Exhibit

Friday, October 16, 2009 -
Friday, November 13, 2009

The Union Gallery hosts "Finding Voice," an exhibition of photography by international students at Catalina Magnet High School.

Finding Voice is an innovative literacy and visual arts program in Tucson dedicated to helping refugee and immigrant youth in LEARN Center english language development classes at Catalina Magnet High School develop their literacy and second language skills by researching, photographing, writing and speaking out about critical social issues in their lives and communities. Finding Voice educators Julie Kasper and Josh Schachter founded the program in the spring of 2007 in collaboration with the Tucson chapter of the International Rescue Committee. They have worked with students from Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kuwait, Liberia, Mexico, Nepal, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Russia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Turkey, Yemen and Vietnam to help them examine through words and photographs where they came from, where they live now and what future they want to create for themselves and their communities. Through this experience, the students develop a better understanding of their Tucson neighborhoods and of U.S. culture, while building a strong connection to their own native cultures and families. Their photographs, writing and digital stories have been exhibited throughout Tucson and in the U.S. Senate.

Kasper, Schachter and participating students will give an artist talk at the reception on Oct. 16. The Union Gallery will host a panel of Tucson artists, educators and community members to discuss community-based art and the challenges of representation on Nov. 5. These events are free and open to the public.

Opening Reception: Oct. 16, 5-7 p.m. Artist talk begins at 6 p.m.

Panel Discussion: Nov. 5, 5-7 p.m. A discussion on "Voice and Identity – Issues of Representation in Visual and Literary Arts," will feature local arts organizers and educators.

Audience: All