Hi, everyone. I learned about this project through a photographer friend in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada). An e-mail made the rounds amongst local photographers (and others who are interested in community development) and, as you can see in the media release below, funds were raised to support this project.
Ellen
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for immediate release: sunday, april 9, 2006
BORDERLINE GALLERY TO HOST PHOTO EXHIBITION
Borderline Gallery, 674/14 Intarakiree Road, Mae Sot, is pleased to announce the opening of its first photographic exhibition on Thursday, April 20, 6 - 9 p.m.
The MY STORY photo project will showcase the work of 5 young Karen who live in the Mae Sot/Mae Pa area.
Sponsored by the Karen Youth Organization, facilitated by Canadian photographers Nathaniel and Susan Tileston, and funded by private donations from Nova Scotia, Canada, the project gave entry-level Kodak digital cameras to the participants, along with some basic photographic instruction. The rest was up to them. Over the last two months, Saw Kyaw Kyaw Oo, Naw Heller Htoo, Saw Noman, Saw Der Lweh Htoo and Naw Sally Wah have been documenting their daily lives.
They took the pictures, critiqued, and then edited them into the current exhibition.
The results can be seen at Borderline Gallery from April 20 through May 4. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, April 20, 6 - 9 pm. The artists will be present.
For more information, contact Susan Tileston at
sgtileston@yahoo.com.