OUTREACH is our award-winning education program designed specifically for under-served youth, as a medium of creative self-expression. OUTREACH breaks down barriers to the arts and encourages youth to develop their creative voice and understand the power of the photographic image. Through OUTREACH, Gallery 44 works in collaboration with five community organizations to offer black and white photography workshops to over 50 young people in the G.T.A. The workshops have a different thematic focus each year and guide the youth from concept, through to production and exhibition at Gallery 44.

Every year, Gallery 44 awards two participants from our OUTREACH program, the David Barker Maltby Award in keeping with his commitment to education, community activism and documentary photography.  Award winners, nominated by instructors and selected by a committee, have excelled within the OUTREACH program.  Recipients are awarded based on their talent and commitment to continuing with their arts practice.

Through the OUTREACH program, Gallery 44 provides photography education outside of the formal school system and build relationships with other non-profit community organizations, by offering photography workshops free of charge to youth. These workshops are designed to meet the specific needs of each youth group involved, and are taught by qualified photographers who have a personal relationship with each community organization.

This year, we have created an E-Zine which is downloadable via the Internet.

For this year’s OUTREACH theme, Reflection, participating youth from the photography workshops and the E-Zine team discussed different interpretations of this word and its multiple meanings.  For some, Reflection was thought in a literal, more physical representation such as a reflection in a mirror or a puddle.  Others thought of Reflection as a term and active verb for reflecting on past choices or deep thought, which dealt with a mental and/or emotional state.  The group decided that the word holds many positive connotations in both of its definitions, showing how one has to face their physical and emotional states.

Reflection was a theme that truly engaged the participants.  It challenged them to think conceptually and explore this word using photography.  Their interpretations were communicated through film.

To view or download our E-Zine REFLECTION, please go to bit.ly/reflectionzine