Visualizing a Year Like No Other is organized by Britta Urness, Art Lab Studio Educator and Jennifer Junkermeier-Khan, Arts and Cultural Management graduate student, in collaboration with MSU Extension Educators Jackelyn Martin and Brian Wibby, and the MSU Broad Education team. Support for this exhibition is provided by the Alan and Rebecca Ross endowed exhibitions fund.
About the Exhibition
Visualizing a Year Like No Other presents the photographic storytelling of teenagers from across the state of Michigan in response to the disruptions, obstacles, and new realities presented by the past year. Photovoice projects like this are a platform for teens to share their experiences and voices as a way to educate others and advocate for positive changes in our communities and our state.
The photography on view is the result of an 8-week online program in the spring of 2021 led by MSU Extension and 4H educators, MSU Broad staff, and MSU students. Youth ages 13–19 had the opportunity to gather virtually, learning photography and storytelling methods while sharing their ideas amongst peers. By investigating thematic prompts each week, the participants dug deep to consider the issues that matter the most to them. In this time of continued physical distance amid the pandemic, these teens were given the time and space to talk, share, connect, and create together.