Photography, Writing Exhibit Showcases Work of 200 California Teen Urban Explorers

For 10 weeks more than 200 teens in 21 California communities armed with digital cameras and notebooks documented the little noticed and often overlooked in their cities and towns as part of a statewide humanities project created by the California Council for the Humanities and loosely based on the work of a Harvard University landscape professor.

Now you can see the results of the teens' urban explorations at http://www.calhum.org/myplace , an exhibit the Council launched on its website today. The exhibit is the culmination of "How I See It -- My Place," a statewide project involving 21 California libraries. The goal was to get young people to know the places where they live; to give them new skills in photography, writing and critical thinking; and to spark their interest in the humanities.

Free downloadable materials let other organizations duplicate project The exhibit features over 300 photographs as well descriptive material about the photos written by the teens themselves. The site also contains a downloadable program handbook, scholar essays and other resources to enable youth organizations or other libraries to conduct the program on their own from start to finish. The Council encourages libraries, schools, after-school program providers, and others to use the materials freely.

Earlier, the 21 libraries involved in the project held exhibits of the teens' work at their respective sites. The exhibits were curated by the teens themselves, who also organized and conducted public programs.

"The new exhibit not only celebrates the teens' work, but also demonstrates how the arts and humanities can really make a difference in their lives," said Council Executive Director Ralph Lewin. "The project also reminds us how important libraries are as centers of community and cultural life freely available to all."

The project was inspired by Harvard Professor John Stilgoe, who sees everyday landscape as a historical record and wants to awaken people to the excitement of exploring their surroundings. The idea for the project was based on Stilgoe's book "Outside Lies Magic: Discovering History and Inspiration in Ordinary Places."

The Council supplied the libraries with materials, equipment, a curriculum and grant funds to conduct the project.

California Stories: How I See It: My Place is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian. This project is conducted in partnership with Califa, a membership-based service bureau designed to provide cost-effective delivery of services, programs and products through a membership network of California libraries.

The nonprofit California Council for the Humanities connects Californians to ideas and one another in order to understand our shared heritage and diverse cultures, inspire civic participation, and shape our future. For more information, visit http://www.calhum.org