Get Ready/Be Ready
An exhibition of Youth Photography and Digital Photo Art
Before the Ferry Disaster/After the Ferry Disaster digital photo and photo editing by Courtney McGeary
The photos in this online gallery were produced by young people in a Creative Art Works job-readiness program at the Queens Community Justice Center. The program introduced young people to professional photography and photo editing skills while simultaneously developing critical employment skills, including time management, teamwork, effective communications, and conflict resolution.
Projects were based on real-world assignments and focused on specific aspects of visual storytelling, such as composition, lighting, framing, and leading lines. Youth began by recreating photographs by post-war and contemporary photographers, such as Beuford Smith, Ricky Flores, Endia Beal, Tyler Mitchell, and Carrie Mae Weems, paying close attention to how these masters achieved their results before applying these skills to their own original photographs. During collaborative photo-editing sessions, youth transformed their photos using a free online photo-editing software.
These photos and more will be on display through next year in the first-floor gallery of the Queens Community Justice Center, 148-15 Archer Ave, Queens, NY 11435. For more information, call the QCJC at (718) 233-4014.
Courtney McGeary, Long Walk in the Rain – 2021 Photo Manipulation using Pixlr.com
Stephon Pratt, Fiery Hell – 2021, Photo Manipulation using Pixlr.com
Stephon Pratt, Home – 2021, digital photo
“When I started taking photos, I realized that I have potential and skill. I feel that I was getting better in different areas as I was doing these projects. I feel proud of this work because these were my ideas.”
Davonte Jones, Difficult Roads Lead to Beautiful Destinations – 2021 Digital Photography inspired by Beuford Smith
“The skateboard represents my fun, daredevilish personality. I have to be really careful not to crash when I am racing down steep hills. It allows me to have extreme focus on something that’s fun”
Stephon Pratt, Peace Nation – 2021, photo manipulation using Pixlr.com
The QCJC Gallery Opens Its Doors to the Public
On Friday, July 23rd, the newly re-branded Queens Community Justice Center officially opened the doors of its new location in Jamaica with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, block party, and gallery reception. It was the first time that #creativeartworks Executive Director, Brian Ricklin and CAW Teaching Artist Alinna Diaz-Porro were able to meet Youth Apprentices Davonte Jones and Courtney McGeary in person.
Melinda Katz, Queens District Attorney and I. Daneek Miller, NYC Council Member, 27th District Queens, provided opening remarks, while an emotional Erika McSwain, Project Director, QCJC, had the honor of cutting the giant orange ribbon. Also in attendance were Courtney Bryan, Executive Director of the Center for Court Innovation, and the entire staff of QCJC, including Wesley Thompson, Youth Programs Coordinator; Rasheed Hart, Job Developer/Group Leader; Arvin Bautista, Mentor; Linda Armstrong, Case Manager; and Lisa Kociubes Lavitt, Clinical Director.
CAW Youth Apprentices
Courtney McGeary
Davonte Jones
Stephon Pratt
Creative Art Works
Alinna Diaz-Porro, Teaching Artist
Lance Paladino, Program Manager
Alex Karpa, Program Coordinator
Amy Appleton, Program Director
Brian Ricklin, Executive Director & CEO
Queens Community Justice Center
Wesley Thompson, Youth Programs Coordinator
Rasheed Hart, Job Developer/Group Leader
Arvin Bautista, Mentor
Linda Armstrong Case Manager
Lisa Kociubes Lavitt, Clinical Director
This program was designed and implemented by Creative Art Works in collaboration with the Queens Community Justice Center and ECHOES (Each Child Has an Opportunity to Excel and Succeed), a program of the NYC Department of Probation that connects participants to paid externships and an adult trained in life coaching. This Creative Art Works program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council, and from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.
