By Bob Devin Jones
The Journey
. . . in Journalism
. . .
Through January 25
Free
The Studio@620
Details here
. . .
Somewhere I read… Teach a man (or woman) to fish
. . .. . .. . .and they will be fed the rest of their lives
An addendum to that sentiment might be something along the lines of…
Teach a child (Melrose Elementary, John Hopkins, Lakewood High) to
Photograph
. . .and chronicle their life,
. . .. . .. . .and surely they will be “fed” the entirety of their lives
I heart to hope to think, this was the outcome,
when over ten years ago I inquired of a Melrose student, for whom having his photo hung in a gallery gave him immense pride,
. . .. . .. . .“what he wanted to do when grew up?”
. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .He replied
. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .“I’m doing it!”
. . .
. . .
This recollection comes to mind as I amble through the current iteration of
Journeys in Journalism – Midtown Through Our Eyes, currently on view (by appointment)
at Studio 620.
. . .. . .. . .As a witness
. . .. . .. . .As a bemused elder
. . .. . .. . .As a chronicler
. . .. . .. . .As grateful viewer
The pictures brim and pulsate with life and joy and some definite promise. . .. . .. . .
. . .. . . . .. . . . …Promise of the possibilities
The Studio@620 has presented Journeys in Journalism. . .
. . .. . .17 years
. . .. . .of its 17 years of existence
In delicious color, the photography, articles and essays dance with images of
. . .Teachers, cheerleaders, mother, father, students, play mother, brother, BFF’s
. . .Baby sister, baby ‘bro, bodies moving through space, mostly in color
. . .
. . .
Hear the laughter captured in the photos. . .
. . .. . .In the school space… “the five cheerleaders”
In the home space
. . .. . .In the mentored space… “Tombolo Books”
In the look at nature space… “the last drop”
. . .. . .In the life space… the remembered space…
. . .. . .. . .. . .“Cynda Mort
. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .Peggy Peterman”
That treasured space;
. . .. . .that may contained some youthful calamity and grace and thanksgiving
The hope to become space… amplified by diligence and promise
Photographs that announce and pronounce to the world
. . .. . .To the community
. . .. . .. . .. . .“Yes I am”
. . .. . .. . .. . . and
. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .. . .“Yes I am going to be!”
Pinellas County Schools’ Journeys in Journalism program is a magnet program
offered at Melrose Elementary School, John Hopkins Middle School and Lakewood
High School. To participate, apply online during the annual Application
Period in January. You can find out more at pcsb.org/journalism.
