Selfie-Expression: Who Am I?

Boulder’s Crestview Elementary 5th grade Graduates celebrate their strengths in Selfie-Expression at The Dairy Center for the Arts . Public reception will be held July 22nd 4:30-6:00pm

The Dairy Center for the Arts announces the installation of a positive self-image project undertaken this spring by 5thBoulder’s Crestview Elementary School. Students’ photographic self-portraits and writings comprise the exhibit Selfie-Expression: Who Am I? The work will be on display at The Dairy through July 31, 2014. A pubic reception for the students will be held at The Dairy at 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22nd

In words from the exhibit, these students feel they have progressed, “... since their frightened kindergarten days from awkwardness to confidence, from confusion to self-determination.” The photographs are a cut above the usual cell phone selfie. Photographer Benjamin Buren of Boulder’s Alive Art Studios, worked with the students, setting up professional equipment and encouraging them to play with poses. The students themselves then “clicked” the camera on themselves at moments of their own choosing.

Boulder physician and Crestview parent Rohini Kanniganti conceptualized and developed the project, in collaboration with a Crestview team including Jessica Bernstein, Charlie Wright, Ned Levine, the parents and volunteers of Reach Out Crestview, and the 5th grade teachers. John Molinare of Rock Bottom Press provided printing and mounting services. Other assistance, including volunteer time and/or funding for the project, was provided by Marc Plinke, Amy Shoffner, Kim Friel, Susan Enfield, Sitha Plinke, Charlotte Buren and Layla Enfield.

To label their photos and describe themselves with a positive attribute, the students wrote statements about positive qualities they see and love in themselves. According to the writing that accompanies the exhibit, “Here’s how we did it: We drew ourselves as icebergs. The tip of the iceberg, the part above the water, is our name, our physical appearance, our nationality, anything you can see on the outside. The rest of the iceberg, the largest part that is underwater, we saw as containing our inner qualities we are proud of... our true identity. What would you write inside your iceberg? What qualities do you see in yourself that you like or love? Can you imagine introducing yourself to someone as that quality, rather than using your name? Hi, I am smart. Hi, I am loving. Hi, I am ...”

The Dairy Center for the Arts is a non-profit cultural organization housed in the historic Watts Hardy Dairy building at 26ths home to three visual art galleries, three live performance venues, the Boedecker Theater, an art house cinema and 12 other arts organizations that teach, rehearse and perform there. The Dairy’s Mission is, “... to provide the Boulder and surrounding communities diverse opportunities to create, learn, and participate in high quality performing, cinematic, and visual arts experiences.”

 The Dairy Center for the arts is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.