The 2008 Focus on the Mission exhibit will open May 29 in the Focus: HOPE Gallery.  The exhibit will enable visitors to experience the Detroit-area through the eyes of its teenagers. 

The exhibit features black and white photos taken as part of the Focus on the Mission program . The six-week program for high school students from urban and suburban high schools is designed to expose them to extraordinary racial and cultural diversity of southeastern Michigan.

Annette Vanover, community arts manager, said the exhibit always is entertaining and educational for the students and their audience.

“The quality of the students' work always amazes me,” Vanover said. “They don't have any formal photography training, but their photos always capture what's in their hearts creatively and openly. It's interesting to see how youth view the world.”

In 2007, 18 professional photographers and/or art educators worked with 59 students at four day-long sessions at Focus: HOPE. The sessions included various photographic assignments, group discussions based on topics that the photos stimulated, sharing of mentor portfolios, diversity presentations, creative art activities, ethnic foods, and touring and photographing various cultural and historic sites throughout metro Detroit.

The program is made possible with a grant from The Skillman Foundation and the generous support of the Ford Motor Company Community Service Program and the Ford Photographic Department. 

To view the 2007 Focus on the Mission exhibit, click here.