During her residency at The Alley Project, Samantha Friend Cabrera transitioned from being an artist to a facilitator, leading a short series of workshops aimed at nurturing the creative spirits of a young audience. 

Although she doesn't typically consider herself a teacher, Samantha embraced the challenge of guiding a group of youth through a skill-building exploration of photography and writing. 

View fullsize

An accessible environment of learning was accomplished in what she called a "third space" on The Alley Project during the workshops. It wasn't school, and it wasn't home, but a unique blend of formality and informality, providing the students with a casual and educational atmosphere.

We Can Celebrate + Critique

In her photography workshop, Samantha curated a selection of works by renowned photographers like Martin Parr, Lourdes Grobet, and Rineke Dijkstra, whose bold imagery she found undeniably engaging. Throughout the workshop, she emphasized the importance of celebrating and critiquing art simultaneously, a perspective she adopted from Martin Parr. Samantha encouraged students to express their opinions, fostering an environment where both praise and constructive feedback were valued.

View fullsize

Recreational critique can help to generate excitement, instead of fear, around feedback: "Rather than fearing the red pen, or having an anxiety around what's going to be said about it, imagine being able to wait in excited anticipation for what is going to be given to you, by your peers, or people who you enjoy about how to improve what you're doing." Samantha felt that setting this foundation allowed the students to engage openly

Each student was invited to share three of their own photographs with the group. As each image was projected, the students explained their choices, opening the floor for group critique. Samantha enjoyed guiding the students through thoughtful discussions, exploring the artistic choices and deeper meanings behind their photos. This exercise not only enhanced their understanding of photography but also provided insights into their lives and interests.

Students from Escuela Avancemos visited The Alley Project as a way for participants from this summer’s Photo 101 to share about their experiences with their friends, explore TAP, and learn about ways that photography is changing people’s lives in their community.

Stephanie Ruiz, a member of La Sirena Studio on The Alley Project, shared about her experiences in Photo 101 classes and how she has built her own photo business over the years since graduating from high school. Students asked questions and started to share a bit about what they would like from another Photo 101 as part of the after school program.

Come visit the outdoor exhibition in person between November 18 - January 31 in front of Michigan Central Depot at Michigan Avenue and Vernor Hwy.

In March of 2020 Capturing Belief and Inside Southwest Detroit created the #RemoteAllyProject, a place for youth to process what they were going through as their school year was abruptly interrupted and they were forced into isolation by the COVID-19 pandemic.

For 15 weeks, 18 students from Detroit and 4 from Kenya, France, and Italy were encouraged to maintain a positive focus while working with 8 teaching artists, developing communication and critical thinking skills while learning about visual storytelling.

View fullsize

Three youth serving photo programs in Detroit—Capturing Belief, Darkroom Detroit, and Inside Southwest Detroit—came together to develop the Young Detroit Photo Society (YDPS) as a program that introduces the youth of Detroit to photography by way of also introducing them to each other and their own city.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

With an emphasis on skill building in photography, youth from various neighborhoods around Detroit meet and serve as each others’ guides as they participate in photo-based scavenger hunts that ultimately produce community-driven narratives about places and their time together. The program supports youth in developing photographic competencies, exploring and learning about different places around the city, and connecting and building relationships with youth from various communities and backgrounds.

View fullsize

Inside Southwest Detroit recently hosted the first edition when more than 20 young photographers from around the city met at their space at Avis and Elsmere. They were greeted by photo mentors, also from various neighborhoods and organizations around the city.

View fullsize

View fullsize

Eight of the participants were from Southwest Detroit and served as guides in groups on photo walks that covered a half square mile. Having gone in different directions, the young photogs reunited at the building to share their photos with mentors and each other then collaboratively selected and captioned photos that would best depict the routes they traveled. Together the body of work forms a photo narrative of the community and their time together.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

No part of this effort would be possible without the mission and vision of the organizations and the shared passion and values of the photographers that each contributed to developing and facilitating this first YDPS project. A special thanks to La Sirena Studio and the Documenting Detroit Fellowship for their support and roles as mentors to the young photographers of the YDPS.