Jack A new exhibit focuses on the journeys of 10 teens from Monmouth and Middlesex counties as they discover hope and healing in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy.
“I think one thing that helps a lot with the healing process is doing something creative, and this exhibit is letting these students do just that,” said Colleen Leslie, a professional photographer and one of several mentors working with the students.
The photography exhibit, “Message Me: HOPE,” is a collaboration between the Collective Art Tank of Asbury Park and Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, and is part of an ongoing mission to strengthen and encourage the arts along the Jersey Shore.
The exhibit, which opened last weekend at 529 Bangs Ave., Asbury Park, displays the works of 10 local youths, ages 13-17. The works were developed over the course of several two-hour “healing” classes.
Dolci “The pieces displayed in the exhibit are very personal to each of the students that created them,” Leslie said.
“So many people were devastated by the storm, and it is amazing to see that — even more than two years later — individuals are still affected by it.”
Leslie said such creative endeavors help with the healing process.
“Message Me: HOPE” is facilitated by Riverview’s art therapy program and will be funded by a grant from the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan.
Riverview’s board-certified art therapist, Mary Gambarony, echoed Leslie’s words. “For a lot of them, photography is something that is very new to them, and it is getting them out of their comfort zone and providing them with a medium where they can freely express themselves,” she said.
“Each piece has a different perspective and a different angle to the storm, and that is so important to the recovery process.”
Alaina According to Leslie, the students each had their own story to tell, and no two were the same.
“They just blew me away,” she said. “A lot of times when we think about the storm and who was impacted, we don’t necessarily think about these teenagers.
“Several of these students are not even back in their homes yet or have had to move several times, and that has had a major impact on them.”
During the classes, the students gained hands-on experience as they learned different techniques surrounding lighting, framing, points of view, and how to put an exhibit and show together, Leslie said.
“We talked a lot about hope during our classes … hope in our community, hope in ourselves, in each other and what it means to give hope to someone else.
Gillian “And as the classes went on, I could really see the students coming out of their shells,” Leslie said.
Gambarony said the students developed skills quickly during the process. “Each class, their work got better and better, and it was amazing to see that,” she said.
The exhibit will feature 30 pieces. Each student will have two portrait shots and a collage featuring samples of their other work as part of the display.
“I am so nervous,” said Jack Held, one of the students whose work is featured in the exhibit. “This is my first exhibit, and I’m not really sure what to expect.”
Held said participating in the classes and the “Message Me: HOPE” exhibit has been a wonderful opportunity.
“I have been into photography for a while now. … The minute I heard about the classes, I was very excited,” he said. “Seeing everyone being there for one another and helping each other has been nice.”
Christopher