What was Picturing Me?
Picturing Me was a seven-session, after-school program led by CMA’s teaching artists for Pittsburgh-area kids that featured compelling photography in two exhibitions on view at Carnegie Museum of Art through spring 2012, Picturing the City: Downtown Pittsburgh, 2007–2010 and Teenie Harris, Photographer: An American Story. Photographs from these two exhibitions served as catalysts for engaging kids in discovering our city’s past and present, and inspiring them to envision their place in its future.
The artwork produced by students in the program is currently being showcased in an exhibition (March 17–April 1) at the Museum of Art.
What did students learn during Picturing Me?
The photographs of Pittsburgh past and present represented in the two exhibitions were the basis for the seven-session curriculum. Participants compared the historical and contemporary images and made discoveries about the role of photography in documenting and communicating the richness of the city’s urban landscape, and how the everyday activities of anonymous Pittsburghers become history that is as significant as the events and lives of celebrities.
They considered how these photographs, over time, become primary source documents defining personal and public history. The participants learned about and experimented with the principles of photography and produced photographic, collage, written, and performance art as they defined their personal sense of identity.
During Picturing Me, participants explored their personal goals—considering what they would like someone fifty years from now to discover from their photographs—and in the process built confidence, self-awareness, and personal agency.
Who participated in Picturing Me?
Picturing Me was designed for students enrolled in after-school programs in Pittsburgh and nearby communities. The program was free of charge to community-based after-school groups that have little opportunity to visit museums or to participate in art experiences.
The curriculum was designed for students in grades 3 through 12 and groups of 20 students or less. Eleven after-school groups from a range of Pittsburgh neighborhoods participated in the program. For more information, please email J.G. Boccella at boccellaj@carnegiemuseums.org.
Who led Picturing Me activities?
Picturing Me was implemented by experienced teaching artists from Carnegie Museum of Art’s Children’s Studio, who have all necessary clearances to work with children. Learn more about the Picturing Me artist educators.
Where did Picturing Me take place?
Teaching artists brought photography equipment and artist materials to each site for six sessions. One session took place at Carnegie Museum of Art, where students explored two exhibitions: Picturing the City: Downtown Pittsburgh, 2007–2010 and Teenie Harris, Photographer: An American Story. Transportation was provided free of charge for each group’s museum visit.
When did Picturing Me take place?
On-Site Sessions
Picturing Me was a seven-session program that met weekly. Programs occurred between October 24, 2011 and March 16, 2012. Sessions were 1.5 to 2 hours long.
Exhibition
Picturing Me culminated with an exhibition of student artwork in Carnegie Museum of Art’s Forum Gallery March 17–April 1, 2012.
Support
Picturing Me was made possible by generous support from The Heinz Endowments and the Scaife Family Foundation Fund for Scholarships.