Capturing their vision
Some of Guy’s fondest memories of growing up in Richmond Hill, Ontario include regular photography excursions with his uncle.
“We used to go out on little trips where we lived…we used to go all over the place to shoot pictures with our cameras,” says Guy, a quadriplegic and a resident at the George Pearson Centre. “That’s definitely why I’m interested in photography now.”
Guy has been able to direct that life-long passion for photography into Collaborative Visions, a project which he and nine other creative residents were paired with art history students from Langara College to take photos for an exhibition that will be displayed at George Pearson this Friday (the 28th) and at Langara College next Wednesday (April 2nd).
Great experience
“I am really impressed with the work,” says Ron Stedman, supervisor of recreation therapy at the George Pearson. “Some of the ideas the residents had were really cool – some even got a little political. It was neat to see the finished work, to see what ideas they came up with.”
Just over a year ago, that same uncle, who planted the photography seed in the young Guy, bought him Nikon camera. But until this project, Guy wasn’t able to use it.
“It was a lot of fun,” says Guy, who explored the surrounding neighbourhood with two Langara students, instructing them to shoot whatever image he had envisioned in his head. “It had been a long, long time since I did anything with photography. It was a great experience in that sense for me because I didn’t really have a chance to do anything in an organized way like that – I couldn’t.”
Ron says the experience was a lot of fun for the students as well.
Powerful experience – for both sides
“It was obvious this experience was quite powerful for the students too,” he says. “A few of them came up to me and asked about volunteering opportunities, they want to come in and continue working with the residents.”
He hopes that this collaboration puts things in motion for other creative partnerships in the future.
“The actual process was really cool for the residents, something different to do…to have actual art history students who have an expertise in this with residents who have a passion – it’s a great match,” he says pointing at several photos. “We hope it’s a connection with Langara that we can roll into other projects.”
Passion renewed
So has this experience reignited Guy’s passion for photography?
“Yeah, it has,” he says. “I want to get some other residents together and start a club at the centre now, for photography – that would be fun.”
More information
For more information on the exhibition email Sylvia Tan at Langara College.