Aldergrove Community Secondary School (ACSS) photography students showcased a semester鈥檚 worth of work at 91原创 Arts Council鈥檚 grand opening last week.
The 35mm film exhibit, entitled 鈥淐hange the Narrative,鈥� sought to examine places that 鈥渂uilt and shaped [the students] into the person they are today,鈥� said Stephanie Martyniuk, an interim ACSS photography teacher.
鈥淎ll places featured in the frames are places around ACSS,鈥� said Martyniuk.
The black and white photographs 鈥� developed in the school鈥檚 darkroom 鈥� were hung in two sections in the foyer of the Aldergrove Kinsmen Centre leading up to the main hall.
鈥淚 had a high bar for exhibition. When students were submitting things to me they needed the print to have contrast and to have a clear message,鈥� Martyniuk said. Alongside the photographs were the student鈥檚 artist statements, detailing why they chose to capture that particular space and moment.
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Grade 11 student, Dori Grahamova, showcased a photograph of the school鈥檚 counselling centre couches where she spent a lot of time after her father passed away from cancer last April.
鈥淚f something reminded me of him I could just go and sit there for a few minutes,鈥� Grahamova explained.
Martyniuk admitted that as a teacher, it is 鈥渉eartbreaking鈥� to hear some of the hurdles her students face during the school year. Though, she has found the counselling centre a good spot to send students in need of rest.
鈥淵ou get kids from various social groups doing various things in the centre. It鈥檚 a safe space for kids to relax,鈥� Martyniuk said.
Another student and avid ice skater 鈥� Paige Abbott 鈥� chose to submit a photograph of the old Aldergrove Arena. Abbott happened to take pictures of the rink she grew up skating in the day it was set for demolition.
鈥淪he came back to class crying announcing, 鈥楳s. M, the rink is gone鈥� but I鈥檝e got photos鈥�,鈥� Martyniuk said.
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Another student chose to capture the Milsean Shoppe, a historic former fire hall that sits between 29 Avenue and 272 Street.
鈥淪he was able to capture a moment in history,鈥� Martyniuk elaborated, 鈥渁 lot of the students realized how important this community is to them during the assignment.鈥�
Alana Bunt, a grade 12 student, captured a strikingly clear image of a dimly lit hallway.
鈥淢e and my friends sit against these lockers every day. It鈥檚 a time we use to get to know each other,鈥� explained Bunt.
The unique exhibit, hosted by the 91原创 Arts Council鈥檚 new Aldergrove space, celebrated the student鈥檚 technical abilities as well as their 鈥減ersonal connections to a place and community they are really proud of,鈥� Martyniuk finished.
