RS Southgate Students Share “Our View Through the Lens” During First Friday at Anderson Creative Studio

“Our View Through the Lens,” an exhibit of photography by students from Stark County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ RS Southgate School, will open Friday, November 4, 2011 at Anderson Creative Studio at 331 Cleveland Ave. NW. The exhibit, part of the First Friday events in the downtown Canton Arts District, was made possible through a $4,000 Arts in Stark grant.

A total of 62 students with varying developmental disabilities participated in the project creating visual stories using digital media.  This program gave students the opportunity to use cameras and editing software, which many had never experienced.  The equipment, some of which had to be adapted to assist students in taking the photographs, was purchased through GovConnection.

The yearlong project included students learning the photographic process and production of the storyboards/photos and downloading pictures through peer collaboration and team teaching with GlenOak High School students.

Under the direction of GlenOak High School teacher Jeannene Mathis-Bertosa, GlenOak photography students came to RSSS nine times during the year.  Each time the GlenOak students talked to Southgate students about how a camera works, how to hold the camera and taking their first pictures.

“The interaction between the GlenOak students and our students has been wonderful,” said RS Southgate principal Myrna Blosser.

The Southgate students also used software to edit their photos, including picking their favorite photo, doing any cropping that is necessary and then trying different effects.

The project also included learning about art by taking 12 field trips to special interest locations around the community, as well as touring the Canton Museum of Art and the Second April Gallery in downtown Canton. 

Additionally, some of the photographs have been used in the newly remodeled lobby at RS Southgate School.