PORTRAIT OF AN OUTREACH

Center Affiliate Artist, Lisa Holder, talks about her outreach experience working with the Charlotte Battered Women’s Shelter during her summer outreach in conjunction with United Family Services:

“I worked with the Battered Women's Shelter in Charlotte where I had participants write journal entries based on prompts such as "What makes me feel powerful, what makes me feel beautiful..." etc. This writing was as a jumping off point for self-portraits. The women worked with point and shoot cameras, creating conceptual and traditional self-portraits. My goal was to introduce the women to photography as a means of expression and empowerment. Their photographs were revealing, intense, and telling. The responses varied - some of the self-portraits showed weariness, shock, and bruised eyes, while others depicted a sense of hope and strength. In addition, I photographed the women with their individual printed text projected onto their bodies.”

As an extension of this outreach, some of these Photo Projections will be on display at the Westin Hotel an event called "Aperture" to raise funds for United Family Services. United Family Services is celebrating their 100-year anniversary at a gala Saturday, November 7 at 7pm. It is a ticketed event. For ticket information and to register online, go to www.unitedfamilyservices.org