Mary Ehlers' Nugget - The Zebra

This year’s SOHO class proudly shows off their work.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY THE ART LEAGUE
A Roll of Film and a Point and Shoot Camera Can Make a Difference
bY MARY WAdlANd
Between January 28 and
February 6, 2012, Alexandria’s
Art League will
host an exhibition of photographs
taken by this year’s “A
Space of Her Own” (SOHO)
class. Now in its tenth year,
SOHO is an award-winning
art mentoring program engaging
at-risk, low-income, 5thgrade
girls in a year of personal
growth centered on art. This
special collaboration with the
City of Alexandria’s Court
Service Unit pairs each girl
with an adult, female mentor to
participate in art lessons led by
Art League artist instructors.
Each week, girls and mentors
work together to create expressive
artwork. These sessions
become the catalyst to discuss
larger life concerns, decisionmaking,
and emotional issues.
At the completion of the program,
the teams remodel each
of the girls’ bedrooms, incorporating
all of their artwork,
to truly give each girl a “space
of her own.” By providing stability,
a nurturing and creative
environment, and by promoting
and developing meaningful
intergenerational relationships,
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SOHO has successfully helped
improve the lives of dozens of
girls in Alexandria to date.
After a basic photography
workshop with Art League instructor
Allison Duvall, each
5th-grade Alexandria girl was
given a point and shoot camera,
a roll of black and white film,
and tasked with taking photos
of the people, places, and things
most significant to them.
The images taken were used
as a starting point to write
stories about their lives. They
went into the darkroom to develop
the image that held the
most significance to them, and
then wrote an accompanying
statement or story to go along
with their photograph.
The show provides an inside
look into the world of these
children, and an opportunity for
viewers to see how the SOHO
outreach program positively impacts
the lives of these girls and
the Alexandria community.
Founded in 1954, The Art
League, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization,
is among the nation’s
largest and oldest multi-service
organizations for visual artists.
As a major component of
the cultural fabric of Alexan-
Q U O T A B L E :
dria, The Art League offers
extensive exhibit opportunities
for artists through its gallery,
outstanding fine art education
through the school, and
valuable outreach programs to
the local community. The Art
League is headquartered in the
landmark Torpedo Factory Art
Center. Exhibitions and events
are free and open to the public.
“
If you want something spoken
about, ask a man. If you want it done,
ask a woman.
” ~Margaret Thatcher
Mason Hall
apartMents
1420 W. Abingdon Drive
Alexandria, VA
1(888) 573-5096
Efficiencies, One Bedroom
and Two Bedrooms
Walk to Old Town
Easy access to DC
Picnic Room and Resident
Library
Close to Potomac Bike Path
Bus Service at Your Door Step
Free On-site Parking
State of the Art Fitness Center
28 The ZebRA JANUARY 2012
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