Poetography Exhibit

The Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation continues to branch out and create new innovative ways to help youth express themselves. Recently we hosted our very 1st full art exhibit called "Poetography," an exhibit that has a mission to use creative and artistic expression to empower marginalized youth, helping them establish self-value and dignity through the application of poetry and photography. 

Photo Credit: Cat Palmer

Background

Over a 10 week period we conducted 10-1hour poetry workshops that encouraged self expression. None of the students we worked with had any significant formal training in writing poetry other than what they learned in school. In the beginning many were uninterested, but after a few workshops more and more students began to "buy in" to the idea. By the end 85% of the students were still activity participating in the workshops and had submitted multiple poetic pieces. Here is an example of a poem that was written during one of these workshops:

"I am not very smart, but I love to learn. I wonder when I’m going to be smarter. I hear the teacher. I see things. I want to be known for being smart. I am not very smart, but I love to learn. I pretend to be smarter, when I’m really not. I feel the smarticles going in. I worry…will I ever get smarter. I WILL improve my grade. I WILL show everyone what I can do. They WILL know what I am. I am not very smart, but I will be.

  –Tania, age 14, NCM student 2012"

After the students had written their poems we then gathered them and gave their pieces to NCM member and local photographer, Cat Palmer, so that she could take pictures that represented their poems. This process was extremely exciting for the students and was a special privilege for the NCM group. To see the students light up and come to life as they went through the process of discovering themselves, sharing that discovery and then supporting each other as they were supported reaffirmed the impact and need for the NCM Foundation's services. The picture below is the one that was taken by the photographer to represent the poem above:

photo credit: Cat Palmer 

Exhibit 

We decided that it wouldn't be fair to the students or for the community for us not to share this experience and the beauty it produced. That being the case we contacted local Crowley's gallery and asked if they would allow us to host an exhibit opening in their space. After we showed them the poems and pictures and explain the background and vision of the exhibit the owner gladly agreed.

The exhibit will continue to be displayed through May 2012 at Crowley's Gallery in Ogden, Utah. 

If you would or an organization you know of would like to partner with the NCM Foundation to recreate the Poetography exhibit please contact us at 801-710-4238 or amirjackson@NurturetheCreativeMind. Than you

Nurture the youth. Nurture the future. 

'Blank Page' After School Workshop

(Students attend the blank page workshop)

The past week for the Nurture the Creative Mind Foundation began with an after school workshop for our upcoming street magazine Blank Page. The kids have found their groove, the young students becoming more independent and self-sustaining are starting to run efficiently and effectively.

The next NCM workshop took place at Youth Impact a program that provides youth in the Ogden community a safe place to meet. We are working with a group of 6 girls who are writing a song about empowerment and self respect. a sample of the song is as follows "My name is Dominique. Before you even Speak. You have to recognize you must treat me like a queen. Its Tay-Tay over here. Lets get something clear only positivity in my space or else don't come near."

On Wednesday we conducted our 1st workshop with the YMCA after school program at Mt. Ogden. The kids were extremely attentive, responsive and energetic. We were only scheduled to do one workshop, but this changed after the Director of the program saw and appreciated the impact our methods had on the students. We are now planning an 8 week workshop with the program.

We ending our week as it was started...MAGICALLY! We had the opportunity and blessing to work with a group of 20 students at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Honestly I was a bit tentative about this. Uneasy if i would be able to relay the programs message effectively, but thankfully i was proven wrong and in an epic way. These kids were so creative and special. My heart was immediately filled and stolen by them.


- Amir