Twenty Turner Middle School students expose their unique vision of the region to a delighted public this month at the Jumping Bean. “Xposed: The World Through 40 Eyes” presents approximately thirty photographic works in black and white. This isn’t the first workshop for area students and led by artist-in-residence Bob Campagna, but it’s the first to display at the Bean. There you’ll see how each darkroom outing offers something special from the young photographers.
The workshop was organized by Carrie Bartman, Turner’s gifted & talented coordinator, and Campagna, the popular teacher who recently moved here permanently from Iowa. Fourteen of the students participating also attended last year’s session and were able to use existing negatives from that shoot. The newer students took a road trip in search of potential subject matter. As the others before them found, there’s a wealth of visual information in Rocky Mountain National Park, Rock Ridge Ranch west of Loveland, the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park or maybe in Lyons.
Rather than focusing their efforts on an accompanying essay as they have in the past, or developing a number of prints with a variety of techniques, the students’ objective was to produce fine art.
“It really required them to have a commitment to excellence,” explained Campagna. “The kids had to be patient ... and focus on one excellent piece.” All of the final work was framed and the materials used were higher grade and archival, such as selenium-treated, fiber glossy paper. He also taught them a framing style with a floating mat, which gave their work an added professional appearance. The students then wrote informative descriptions of their work, the location, and in some cases, previous gallery representation.
Some students rose to the challenge and climbed even higher. Sixth grader Anna Miera matted and framed three of her prints together to create a triptych of the Alberta Falls area. Climbing to that challenge was made even more difficult by the fact she had a broken leg the day of the photo shoot. “I loved going on the hike” in spite of the physical obstacle, she said when asked what her favorite part of the workshop was. She credits Bob’s guidance on the project once she decided to capture the moment in three separate shots, and the results are beyond her years.
Other students who enjoyed the workshop found unexpected success already. Both Piper Hall and Jo Buckley sold their work at the reception held on the evening of March 5. Buckley, also in sixth grade, particularly enjoyed working in the dark room (located at Bill Reed Middle School), and hopes to get in the program again next year.
It was no surprise to see the coffee shop packed for the reception last week; Berthoud families love to support their kids. Past exhibits have been held in other towns or for just one day, so Carrie Bartmann was thrilled when Campagna and Bean curator Brenda Leedy suggested a six-weeklong show for the community to enjoy.
District GT Coordinator Rebecca Blocher agreed the venue was perfect for displaying the talent, and was impressed enough to purchase a print of aspens for her homesick daughter.
The photographers paid for their own framing for the show, which they factored in to figure the cost of their final work. As an artist and gallery owner, I can tell you, that’s often the most difficult part of creating art — how much is this worth and can I ask that? Several sold signs throughout the shop would appear to support the prices chosen and the obvious value to the buyers.
While Bartmann coordinates the local GT program, she enthusiastically opens most of the offerings, including this workshop, to all students. Other projects include Robotics, chess, Forensics (an improv. group), as well as a fleece blanket workshop. She admits to her own passion for photography and it’s obviously infectious with her students.
Bob Campagna’s increased involvement with the school district this year is leaving an indelible mark. He’s been proactive in his efforts to show the kids what’s possible and what quality they’re capable of. He speaks highly of the Berthoud students and is impressed with their maturity as artists. Next month an eighth grade student will jobshadow Bob and the GT coordinators are looking forward to providing more learning opportunities of this sort in the future.
When you stop in next time for a little hot chai, be sure to check out the images of tools and trikes, rocks and rivers that adorn the walls. Through 40 young eyes, you’ll be exposed to a body of work worthy of a fine art gallery.