50-Photo Exhibit by Students on View at Burton Barr Library, 3/6-4/19

Fifty photographs taken by 22 students from Children First Academy Phoenix during a nine-week Kids in Focus project will go on display at a free exhibit at the Burton Barr Library, 1221 N. Central Ave., from March 6 to April 19.

The students, who were each given point-and-shoot digital cameras to use and keep, were mentored by 12 professional photographers during weekly field trips to various locations. The students also took pictures at and around their homes.

During the trips, photographers provided lessons, tools, ideas and feedback about the images. Students wrote their own captions and biographies, which will be included in hard-bound books presented to them at the exhibit's opening reception March 6, 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Select images from this exhibit and two prior Kids in Focus (www.kids-in-focus.org) exhibits will be displayed at the Children's Museum of Phoenix, 215 N. 7th St., in May and June.

"The whole intent of the Kids in Focus project is to help at-risk youth to use photography as a tool to see their own potential and to build self-esteem and awareness," said Kids in Focus founding photographer and Executive Director Karen Shell. "The kids learn to see the world differently, changing their perspectives about themselves and their environment. Kids in Focus helps them build confidence to succeed and ignites their ability to harness creative skills to solve problems."

Kids in Focus founding sponsors are Through Each Others Eyes and McKenna Pro with substantial support from Satellite Management Services and Mike and Susan Trogan. Participating mentor-photographers are Shell, Patrick Breen, Jason Grubb, Art Holeman, Christine Johnson, David Moore, Michael Norton, Keith Pitts, Geoff Reed and Jill Richards.

Every student at Children First Academy (www.cfaphoenix.org) and their families are at or below the poverty line and a vast majority are homeless. The school provides stability and hope for kids and is dedicated to engaging students as critical thinkers, problem solvers and active citizens.