Spirit of Self

From November 2003 to June 2005, fifteen teens participated in Spirit of Self -- a photo-documentary program that paired students with mentor photographers from their own cultural background to explore and celebrate their heritage. Divided into three groups -- Native, Latino and all-female--the teens were given film, cameras and a darkroom to work in and asked to express their views of the world--and to show us who they are.
In doing so, the students revealed a joy of living that they may not express through words. They used cameras to photograph one another, animals, family members, celebrations, dances and music events, sunlight, sky, landscapes and anything pertinent to their lives -- all images taken in black and white.
Spirit of Self culminated with an exhibition of their work in May, 2005 at the Art Institute on the College of Santa Fe campus and was viewed by hundreds of students and families in our community. The participants were hands-on in the preparation of their exhibition, including helping to create the press materials and invitation cards, as well as mounting and dismantling the show.
In the words of one student participant “the program empowered us, it helped us grow at a time when we are developing who we will be for the rest of our lives”. From my perspective, Spirit of Self created a safe forum for self-expression that supported them creatively and emotionally. In turn, they supported one another, crossing cultural barriers and seeing similarities rather than differences. Some were influenced to stay in school, others to move away from negative behaviors that impact us all.
The success of Spirit of Self in Santa Fe suggests the program would be beneficial to other New Mexico communities. In September 2007, Phase 2 will focus on bringing the program to Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Taos/Espanola communities. Groups of 8 to 10 students from the surrounding areas, including pueblos and youth groups will work with a mentor photographer in each location and their lives will be documented in film and video throughout the program. A group exhibition of all works will be held in each location.
As another student said of her peers “you can see through their eyes a different view of the world”. Our interest in growing this program is to give more young people in New Mexico the opportunity to expand their perspectives and each celebrate their unique vision of the world.

Diane DiRoberto
Program Director
505.820.7777
Spirit of Self c/o The Darkroom
901 W. San Mateo, Ste O. Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505

Fiscal Agent - Santa Fe Council for the Arts
Larry Ogan, Director
505.424.1878
P.O. Box 8921
Santa Fe, NM 87504