Guatemalan Fotokids Exhibit
Guatemala as seen through the eyes of it's children

 
Guatemalan Fotokids Exhibit  

Program Overview

In 1991, ex Reuters photojournalist Nancy McGirr gave cameras to eight children whose families lived alongside thousands of others in Guatemala City's municipal garbage dump. The body of work that subsequently evolved was "Out of the Dump," a reflection of the realities of life in the urban third world: astonishing and often beautiful images of a community full of life and hope.

Since its inception, Out of the Dump, now called Fotokids, has expanded to reach out to children from other impoverished areas of Guatemala City and the interior of the country. We now work in the following communities: the dump, La Isla, Ciudad Quetzal, Lomas de Santa fe, Mezquital, Santiago Atitlán, and Las Mangas Honduras. In 2003 we completed a 6 year project working in the countryside with children affected by the nation's 36-year civil war.

The children have documented photographically the issues that surround them: their living conditions, environment, work situations, family and random violence and drug abuse, as well as their dreams for the future.

Fotokids is addressing these very issues by empowering the upcoming generation of underprivileged children to escape the cycle of poverty. Against this background, the children's photographs document the dignity, wit and sensitivity of the community - and of the photographers.

The project now not only teaches photography, but also video, advertising and computer imaging to a total of over 150 students from 6 to 23 years old. The older students are responsible for teaching the younger classes. In addition to attending free classes at our center, the students receive full scholarships to continue their normal schooling. Without this help the students would have to work to help support their families.

The photographers have the opportunity to meet people from different countries and backgrounds, broadening their experience of the world, and are occasionally able to travel abroad. They have given workshops in Granada, London, Houston, Medellín and Guatemala and have exhibited their work in galleries in Tokyo, London, Paris, Amsterdam, New York City and Medellîn.

Making pictures promotes self-confidence, assertiveness, and creativity. Photography stimulates the students to reach for new horizons and expand their dreams...and a child that dreams can imagine a way out of poverty.

La Fundación de Niños Artistas de Guatemala (Fotokids) fue fundada en 1991 por la fotógrafa de Reuters Nancy McGirr y se llamó originalmente Saliendo del Basurero. Comenzó con un grupo de 8 niños entres las edades de 5 a 12, que vivían y trabajaban al lado de sus familias en el basurero de la Ciudad de Guatemala. Las obras que ellos habían hecho son una refleja de las realidades urbanas del tercer mundo, asombrosos y a veces bellas imágenes de una comunidad lleno de vida y esperanza. Desde su comienzo, Saliendo del Basurero, ahora llamado, Fotokids, se amplificaba su programa a lograr de trabajar con niños de otras barrios empobrecidos de Guatemala y el interior del país. Trabajamos ahora en las siguientes comunidades: el basurero, La Isla, Ciudad Quetzal, Lomas de Santa fe, Mezquital, Santiago Atitlán, y Las Mangas Honduras.  En 2003 cumplimos una programa de 6 años en el campo trabajando con niños afectados del conflicto Guatemalteco de 36 años.

Los estudiantes han documentado fotográficamente cuestiones de mucha importancia para ellos, incluyendo violencia doméstica, abusos, pandillas, discriminación y también sus sueños para el futuro.

Fotokids está rompiendo este ciclo de pobreza por el empoderamiento de este nueva generación de niños. Las fotos de ellos revelan la dignidad, ingenio y sensibilidad de los fotógrafos.








   

Program Dates & Times

Exhibit
11/04/06 - 11/18/06
Tuesday - Saturday
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Opening
11/04/06
6:00 - 9:00 pm

Admission

Free admission to the exhibit. Some special events may have an admission.

Donations appreciated.

Program Schedule
Please note that some changes may occur in this schedule. Check the site for up to date information.




11/03/06


Time TBD 
         
“Art in your Ear” Radio
WMNF Interview




11/04/06


6:00 pm  
         
Opening of Fotokids
Proclamation from the City of St. Petersburg with Councilman Jamie Bennett



11/05/06


12:00 - 3:00 pm  
         
Kids Fiesta
Family activities, piñata, marimba band




11/06/06


12:00 - 3:00 pm  
         
Melrose Academy Visit
Melrose Elementary Journalism Magnet
Program.

3:30 – 5:00 pm           

Youth Art Project
Academy Prep students join 2 Guatemalan youth for an art projectat the Art Center in St. Petersburg
.



11/07/06


10:30 am - 1:00 pm  
         
Academy Prep Visit
Guatemalan youth visit Academy Prep for a photo scavenger hunt, a Fotokids slideshow presentation and lunch.       

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Latin American Round Table Discussion
Dave Adams from
the St. Petersburg Times, Dr. María Crummett, USF Dean of International Affairs, and Nancy McGirr, Fotokids Founder.



11/08/06


Time TBD  
         
Creative Clay Tour
Morning visit and tour at Creative Clay in St. Petersburg.

           
Photographers Discussion
Afternoon lunch and discussion with local photographers.

4:00 - 5:30 pm  

Multicultural Family Center Visit
Guatemalan youth to visit the Multicultural Family Center in Town & Country for an activity and a Fotokids slideshow presentation
.



11/09/06


Time TBD  
         
Home Schooling Visit
Visit from homeschoolers.

6:30 - 8:00 pm

YWCA Visit
Visit with the Y Girls program with the YWCA of Clearwater.