Student photographers show talent

Photography: it’s always been an art form popular with people of all ages and incomes. And with new technology, snapping pictures is easier and cheaper than ever. Today, I found out just what Belizean students can do with their cameras.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Last November four primary schools: Wesley upper, All Saints, Holy Redeemer and Saint Mary?s, participated in a pilot project dubbed ?Picture Belize?, which introduces students to the art of photography. A total of sixty-six children participated in the initiative and today their pictures, writings, and recycled material pieces were put on display at the House of Culture.

Picture Belize is well supported by the National Institute of Culture and History through the Institute of Creative Arts. It was designed and developed by Claudia Orantes and Jon Ottley. Assistant Jake Caliz says he is impressed with the children?s work and believes the project should continue.

Jake Caliz, Assistant, Picture Belize
?So far it?s pretty exciting, the children are happy about it, we are happy and we just need to get the okay saying that we will continue working on it.?

Primary school students from Arenal in the Cayo District and Crooked Tree Village in the Belize District were also part of the project.

Michael Alamilla, 12 years old
?It is a very fun thing to do. I just like to encourage everyone who like photography to just be creative and just start taking photos. It?s a great thing to do.?

Jacqueline Woods
?What about you Sean??

Sean Escobar, 11 Years old
?I would also like to make other children get involved in this programme. Children that love to take pictures would very much like this programme.?

Holy Redeemer students twelve year old Michael Alamilla and eleven year old Sean Escobar say although they only started taking picture three months ago, it is an art they would like to pursue.

Michael Alamilla
?I love pictures a lot. Ms. Claudia told the teachers that they wanted some kids, so I volunteered, one of the first kids, because I love pictures a lot…. I love to take underwater photos and photos of space.?

?It helped me because when I took pictures my thumb always came in the photos and now I was surprised that they came out clear.?

Sean Escobar
?I go involved like the same reason, because I love to take pictures. I love to make creative things.?

Jacqueline Woods
?Was it difficult??

Sean Escobar
?Not really. If you have a creative mind then you can do it.?

The pilot project also introduced the teaching of visual arts and included the participation of teachers who coordinated the groups and gave follow up to the activities developed during the Picture Belize sessions.