Shoeleather Journalism in the Digital Age

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Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West offers Kids in Focus exhibition

Photo of Western Spirit
Kids in Focus on Western Spirit opens on March 19 and will run through Aug. 25. (Photo courtesy of Kids in Focus/DigitalFreePress)

Western Spirit showcases talent of local middle school students

Staff Reports | Digital Free Press

Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West — in partnership with Kids in Focus — is announcing the return of a popular exhibition showcasing unique new perspectives of the American West as seen through the eyes of talented local middle school students.

Kids in Focus on Western Spirit opens on March 19 and will run through Aug. 25, according to a press release.

Kids in Focus: A New Lens on Life first premiered at Western Spirit in November 2022. Kids in Focus works with youths ages 10-14 experiencing the challenges of growing up, including serious adversities such as economic insecurity, and food and housing instability, the release states.

The kids set off on a 9-week creative journey with photographers as their mentors. Together they explore the world with their cameras – gaining new perspectives, confidence, resilience, and joy.

The photographs in Focus on Western Spirit are the kids’ perspectives of Western Spirit Museum and the Valley taken during their after-school field trips.

“We are so happy to welcome back the Kids in Focus program. Giving these students a chance to display their artwork at Western Spirit is transformative for their self-confidence, giving them all a sense of pride and accomplishment,” said Todd Bankofier, Western Spirit’s CEO and executive director, in a prepared statement.

Western Spirit celebrates the significance of art and storytelling in the American West by educating, inspiring, and engaging museum visitors through both national and local exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach.

“Young people today face a myriad of challenges, from social media exposure to personal adversities such as bullying, abuse, and neglect. With a camera and the support of mentors, they get an opportunity to step outside themselves and confidently explore the world around them,” said Ann Alger Piraino, exhibits program manager, at Kids in Focus. “Seeing the artwork displayed in Western Spirit is so empowering to the kids in our programs.”

Upon completing the initial program, the students become members of the Grads in Focus and Junior Mentor programs, which keep them actively engaged for several years, through high school and beyond.

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