A picture is worth a thousand words (13 photos)

A photograph can not only capture a subject or scene, but tell a tale leading up to that moment, foreshadow events to come, or even convey a message that words could not express.

That was the idea around a new project entitled Photo Voice which hosted a public exhibit earlier this week at the Grand Theatre.

Photo Voice was presented by the Algoma Public Health Youth Engagement Network and Smoke Free Ontario.

This project educated youth in the art of photography and gave them the skills and means to go out take their own photo of a local concern, youth issue, or community success stories.

Youth participant, Chloe Halpenny (shown holding one of her photos portraying a toy doll holding a cigarette), submitted a series of photos delving into local smoking concerns.

One black and white photo exhibited a mother smoking a cigarette sitting on the corner of a sand box with her son playing a mere foot from where she sat, exhaling.

The project doesn’t just end with the single exhibit.

There are currently plans in place to offer the Photo Voice Project as a floating exhibit, traveling from venue to venue showcasing our youth’s talent.

This project and gallery had some large youth representation in attendance including New Mentality Algoma, Youth Gambling Awareness Project, Girl Guides of Canada-Rangers, Schools without Borders, United Way Youth Empowerment Council, Garden River First Nation, students of Sault College, and local entertainers Tea with Lincoln.