Here's what the article says...
Manhattan Times
July 2, 2009
Artist: Katie DelaVaughn
Title: “Inwood POP: Portraits and Poetry” (2009)
Exhibited: Inwood storefronts for as long as the proprietors choose to keep them up.
If you live or have been to Inwood recently, you’ve had to have seen them: adorable portraits of children, displayed in store windows all along Broadway and beyond. They’re part of a series called “Inwood POP: Portraits and Poetry” created by Bronx Artist Katie DelaVaughn. The kids are from Amistad Dual Language School on Broadway and W. 204th Street. The POP in the title stands for Pedagogy of Photography, which is a literacy and community service learning program created by DelaVaughn and implemented all over the country over the past 10 years. DelaVaughn spent six months with the Amistad students, starting in January. The kids were photographed at their favorite places in the neighborhood and then went to town on DelaVaughn’s prints with Sharpie markers, writing poetry about the significance of their favorite place in Spanish or English. Some favorite places include John’s Doo-Wop Deli, Subway (the sandwich restaurant) the Dyckman Dominican Bakery and Dunkin Donuts.
“Through this project students brought their home and community lives into the classroom and then returned their portraits and poetry to their community exhibiting their artwork at the various locations selected in the store windows if the store permitted,” DelaVaughn said in response to e-mailed questions. Over 100 portraits are out there in the neighborhood.
“I believe this type of project praises youth voice and language diversity, instills community pride, and supports and gives thanks to local neighborhood shops and organizations,” DelaVaughn said.
“The students layered the photographs in Spanish and English with not only with their hopes, and dreams but intimate family and cultural memories. It is my hope that the stories and creativity of Inwood community’s diverse children and their special places within the community are valued.”
For more information visit
www.Katiedelavaughn.com
to contact the artist email or call
info@katiedelavaughn.com
415-246-8652
Daniel P. Bader
