“Empowering Portraits” Inspire

Every day, countless students buy snacks at Grill, stroll along the paths, eat at the dining hall and sit in clean classrooms—all of which are possible because of efforts by various staff members. Sometimes we forget to recognize and thank the people who work so very hard for us, but art instructor Steven Lewis and his Art 305 class set out to change that.After being influenced by the work of JR, a French photographer, Lewis decided to bring the concept to his Advanced Photography class. “He [JR] usually photographs people who are not represented very well in society.” Lewis said. “So, I talked to my advanced class about it, and we decided that we were going to photograph the staff, make large prints and put them up in the library.”Lower Caroline del Real, a student taking the class, explained that the staff who the students asked to photograph were eager to help. “We explained to them that the project wasn't supposed to be about the unimportant people, but more about the important people that we don't appreciate enough.” del Real said.Lewis spoke in further detail about the purpose of the project. “I think that the people who work for us every day, you know, the custodians, the maintenance, the workers in Grill— sometimes they aren’t recognized for who they are, as a really good person,” he said. “We are trying to call attention to people who don’t get the recognition that they deserve for all the work that they do on campus.” 

Upper Ida Piyale enjoyed the assignment and spoke about the impact the project has had on her and her classmates. “I know that for some people in my class, this was the first time they've ever had a conversation with a staff member.” Piyale said.Custodian and maintenance staff member Tim Lang was one of the subjects of the exhibition. He said that being a model for the exhibit was a new experience.“It was fun. I never thought I would be a photography model, so it is a little weird seeing yourself that big, that close up,” Lang said. “But I really like the exhibition. The pictures are very deep and meaningful. They tell a story. They show that we are real people with real lives.”Lewis was elated by the positive reaction that the art exhibition has garnered from the Academy community. “Everyone is really excited; the people who look at the photos, the staff who were photographed, other staff and other students and faculty,” Lewis said. “I’ve gotten emails from students and faculty just saying how much they like the photos. So it’s nice that people are seeing the artwork that the students make in such a severe way.”Not only has the project has made an impact on the class, but many others on campus. “It’s really been a pleasant surprise that people are so excited about the project. You know, the people who look at it, the staff who were photographed, other staff, and other students and faculty, everyone is really excited. I’ve gotten emails from students and faculty just saying how much they like the photos. So it’s nice that people are seeing the artwork that the students make in such a severe way.”