Frist Center Supplies 1000 Disposable Cameras for the Public to Capture Images of the Nashville Community

The Frist Center for the Visual Arts will distribute 1000 disposable cameras, inviting the Nashville public to photograph aspects of their community that move them. Once the cameras are returned, the film will be developed and the resulting photos juried to be included in an exhibition entitled Cameras and Community in Action. On display in the Frist Center's Upper-Level Education Corridor, the exhibition will run concurrently with Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video, on view in the Ingram Gallery from September 21, 2012 through January 13, 2013.

Carrie Mae Weems is a socially motivated artist whose work invites contemplation on issues surrounding race, gender and class. Increasingly, she has broadened her view to include global struggles for equality and justice. The exhibition Carrie Mae Weems: Three Decades of Photography and Video, which is composed of more than 200 objects-primarily photographs but also written texts, audio recordings, fabric banners and videos-will provide an opportunity to trace the evolution of Weems's career over the last 30 years. Although she employs a variety of means and addresses an array of issues, an overarching commitment to achieving a better understanding of the present by closely examining history and identity is found throughout her work.

The Cameras and Community in Action project asks Nashvillians to seek out and examine aspects of their community that socially motivate them, capturing images of things that inspire, challenge or provoke them to seek change. The Frist Center will supply disposable cameras to various Community Partners-including Metro Nashville Public Schools Student Services, the Chinese Arts Alliance, the Martha O'Bryan Center, Metro Parks and Recreation, and the Catholic Charities of Tennessee-in an effort to gather photographs from a wide variety of Nashville communities. Additionally, cameras will be offered to participants in several different Frist Center public programs.

On Sunday, April 8, Frist Center visitors of all ages will also have the opportunity to pick up a disposable camera as long as the supply of cameras lasts (admission will be free that day in celebration of the Frist Center's 11th birthday). The used cameras are to be returned by June 1, 2012 to the designated drop-off bin in the Frist Center lobby. The developed photographs will be juried by members of the Frist Center staff; approximately 400 photos will be chosen to be displayed in the Upper-Level Education Corridor and on the Frist Center's website.

Participants in the Cameras and Community in Action project must sign the Frist Center for the Visual Arts Photographer Release Form, allowing the Frist Center to print, reproduce and publically display their photos in its galleries, on its website and in social media, promotional and marketing materials. The signature of a legal guardian is required for participants under 18 years of age. Participants must also agree that their photographs do not invade the privacy of an individual or contain offensive subject matter for their submissions to be considered. All necessary participation forms will be included with the camera at the time of pick-up, and must be returned with the used camera.

Visit www.fristcenter.org for more information.