Community Portraits

Does your community or school have a notable wall, corner or landmark? And is there a location - in place or virtually - where you can display a collection of portraits (think: community center, town hall, school walls or library)? Start a Community Portrait Project in which you take photos of individuals using a particular formula (same place, same dimensions, same time of day) and then display them as part of an art exhibition.

How do I get started? Download our Stand Out from the Pack - Ongoing Event-Based PDF. Then scope out your school and find a visually interesting location in your neighborhood (or school). Advertise what you are doing, and then take a series of photos of community members in this location. Then create a visual gallery of the photos that you’ve taken and display it in a public place (e.g., school, library, community center). It’s a great way to bring people in your community together. There’s no right or wrong way to do it!

How do I expand this narrative arc? If art and community activism are part of your narrative arc, think about expanding into one of these areas:

• Project Backboard - in which you turn a neighborhood basketball court into a public work of art.

• Storm Drain Art - in which you run an environmental awareness art competition, the winner of which can paint a design on a local storm drain.

• School Photographer - in which you land a gig as the official events photographer for your school

HOT TIP: This is a great project for a teen interested in art and community engagement. Keep in mind that its impact on you will depend on how well it is executed, and how well it fits into your overall narrative arc.