A Day in the Life of Salem Hyde

November 16–December 22, 2006

RECEPTION: Thursday, November 16, 2006 from 5-8pm

Light Work will participate in TH3 on Thursday, November 16 by hosting an opening reception for the new exhibition A Day in the Life of Salem Hyde. This exhibition, on view at Community Darkrooms through December 22, features images made by sixth graders at Salem Hyde Elementary School. The students participated in a photography and writing project in the spring of 2006.

Through the program each child was provided a 35mm camera and a roll of black and white film. Approximately one hundred children were trained to be photojournalists for a day by former Fayetteville-Manlius High School photography teacher Steven Parker, and local photographers Pat Orr and Chuck Wainwright. The students also learned the basics of the art and science of photography during a field trip to Light Work, where they learned how to expose and develop photograms.

As part of the project, the students set out to capture the spirit of their school on film. The film was developed and each child picked out the photo they believed best captured the spirit of Salem Hyde. Working with classroom teachers, each student wrote an essay about the photograph. Many of the essays reflect the school's commitment to the principles of the community of caring—caring, respect, responsibility, trust, and family.

The photos and essays were displayed at Salem Hyde last June, and each student received a DVD or VHS tape containing four photos by each sixth grader as a graduation present. Salem Hyde hopes to make the project an annual event for its sixth grade class. The program was developed by the school's Parent Teacher Organization with the support of Principal Octavia Wilcox; the sixth grade team; Larry Bousquet, parent of one of the sixth graders involved; and the school community.

This opening reception marks the third time that Light Work has participated in TH3. The Connective Corridor Shuttle will be running between all of the TH3 venues throughout the evening. For details on all of the TH3 venues and a shuttle schedule, visit www.th3syracuse.com.

Also on view at Light Work at this time are the exhibitions Perception and Deception, featuring the work of Rik Pinkcombe; and 2006 Light Work Grants , featuring the work of the winners of Light Work's 2006 grant program. The gallery hours for this exhibition are Sunday to Friday, 10am-6pm, and by appointment. To schedule an appointment, please call 315-443-1300. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. Light Work is a non-profit, artist-run organization dedicated to the support of artists working in photography and electronic media. For more information contact Jessica Heckman at Light Work, 315-443-1300 or jhheckma@syr.edu.

Press images available.
Contact Jessica Heckman at jhheckma@syr.edu to obtain a digital copy via email.