COMMUNITY
“Through Our Eyes”
Josephine Herrick Project presents the photographs of students in its afterschool program with YWCA at New Design Middle School (Harlem)
In 2019–20, the Josephine Herrick Project partnered with the YWCA of the City of New York (YW-NYC) to provide a yearlong course in photography for students in 3rd through 8th grade at three different New York public schools. This online exhibition showcases the artwork of students who attended the New Design Middle School in West Harlem. Throughout this course, students learned not only technical camera skills but how to express themselves creatively through images. These young photographers—6th, 7th, and 8th graders who live as well as study in Harlem—explored their environment, using the camera as a tool for storytelling and community building.
The Josephine Herrick Project is an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit that teaches photography to and exhibits the work of underrepresented New Yorkers. Participants include school children in culturally diverse neighborhoods, immigrant and refugee teens, youth and adults with cognitive and behavioral disabilities, military veterans, and people of all ages living in public housing. JHP’s powerful programs give them the skills to see and communicate creatively across cultures and neighborhoods, helping them amplify their voices and advocate for their communities.
“This exhibition was originally planned as an in-person gallery experience at the Harlem Collective’s new building in West Harlem, but due to Covid-19, our in-person exhibition was postponed.
We are now excited to share the artwork of these young artists through this online portal. ”
About the YWCA
The YWCA of New York City (YW-NYC) is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Established in 1858, the YW-NYC is one of the nation’s oldest nonprofit organizations committed to the personal and social development of women, their families, and their communities. In honor of this history, and in service of its mission, it currently provides leadership and advocacy training for young women through its Girls Initiatives program, and youth development through its Out-of-School Time (OST) program for elementary and middle school students in culturally diverse communities in Brooklyn and Manhattan.