STUDENT ADJUDICATORS: Arleth Adorno, Alvee Akhiar, Eliyas Alareqi, Jasmin Ashurova, Luis Bello, Michael Chen, Sophie Chen, Jessica Chen, Sean Collins, Marguerite Culpepper, Teoman Dalton, Sraddha Das, Maria De Las Nueces, Jayden DelValle, Elise Denis, Kaitlyn Due, Santana Dunkley, Anthony Feliciano, West Fischer, Jonathan Fontanez, Jed Garcia, Ulysse Gaulot, Isabelle Ginsberg, Hermes Haeringer Nadal, Nora Haeringer Nadal, Iyed Hajji, Joris Heijmenberg, Melanie Hidalgo, Lucas Jiang, Joshua Katz, Scout Kratchman-Garcia, Ryan Liu, Frankie Malmstrom, Adiyan Mamun, Amara Maxwell, Briana Mendoza, Bowden Methal, Giselle Quiroz-Alejo, Minhyo Ryu, Samiul Sami, Vani Sikka, Miles Simpson, Michael Solarz, Connor Stewart, Emily Toris, Nanjiba Uddin, Fletcher Walker, Lucy Weiss, Evan Wu, Flor Zellerford-Agron
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Celebrating Middle School 51’s long history of photography education, which began in the 1980s under photography teacher (and local legend) Joe Zarba, our program has expanded and progressed since its inception. While initially darkroom-only, the school expanded its digital program through grass-roots fundraising so that students have access to both mediums. So many former students of this program have had the trajectory of their lives changed by the lessons instilled here. A surprising number of students have grown up to become professional photographers or work in the arts, while others use their skills more casually.
This show is self-referential in its process; current M.S. 51 students adjudicate the photographic works of students who attended William Alexander Middle School 51’s photography program. Submission requests went out to Amy Flatow, Erica Uhlenbeck, Lily Yip, and Joe Zarba, who have all taught photography at William Alexander Middle School 51 over our four-decade history.
Student-adjudicators drew on their prior experience with Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) in the classroom; a method of student-centered response to photographs and art. This practice was introduced into Amy Flatow’s teaching practice following a 2017 educator’s intensive on VTS hosted by Photoville. Student-adjudicators used critical thinking in response to approximately 200 submissions of work that was created in their program, from their community in Brooklyn spanning 40 years.
About the Artists
Aemilia Harbutt
Deerctopus, 2017
Digital Composition
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Alan Kennedy
Riverside Park, 1998
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
“Joe Zarba gave us a new perspective on life.”
Alex Arturi
Untitled, 2019
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Alita Gaulot
Ulysse, 2015
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Allie Von Spreckelsen
Helena, 2015
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“I can definitely thank my time [in the M.S. 51 photography program] for my deep sense of appreciation of the power of an image.”
Archana Vaithilingam
Walrilla, 2019
Digital Composition
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“The MS 51 Photography program has left a lasting impression on me. Ms. Flatow is an amazing role model who showed us that anyone has the potential to be an artist. She has taught me to appreciate and develop an eye for art and photography. The lessons we learned about the responsibilities of storytelling and documentation through photography will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Archie Kranz
Everything is Not OK, 2018
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Bianca Soto-King
Got’cha!, 2002
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
“The photography program in M.S. 51 was a one of a kind experience. I learned so much about not only photography but myself. Joe Zarba inspired my creativity and inspired me as a person. I am the educator I am today partially because of him.”
Charlie St. John
Pegasus, 2017
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Charlotte Reisner
Vibrance, 2023
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Dan Arturi
Untitled, 2017
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Daynna R. Ladias
Rotation and Light, 2019
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“The most memorable thing that I will take away from this photography program is to have confidence in my creativity. In 8th grade, we have to be more vulnerable for some projects. Being more vulnerable made me realize that you can find strength in vulnerability.”
Eva Li
Chinese New Year, 2018
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“The M.S. 51 Photography program has helped me see the world through a wider lens. My camera gave me reason to explore the hidden corners of the city and appreciate the little things, one photo at a time. My curiosity was able to bloom as I scanned my surroundings for special moments to capture and experimented with different techniques. The program has also taught me the importance of telling my story, as a well crafted image can carry the weight of a thousand words.”
Finn Kiesow-Schenck
Untitled, 2017
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Finn Lewis
Untitled, 2020
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Hannah Rajalingam
Untitled, 2019
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“It encourages me to work outside of my comfort zone and dream big. Ms. Flatow always had confidence in her students to produce their best work. It was an incredible learning environment.”
Isabel Bruce
Solitary, 2020
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“Ms. Flatow pushed me to venture outside of the box. Photography class was always something I looked forward to; it pushed me out of my comfort zones and forced me to experience new things. I felt comfortable in [her] classroom, and very supported by classmates.”
Isabelle Fernandez
Untitled, 2010
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Jack Adam
Broadway & Astor Place, 2015
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“I think the most memorable thing was really just all of the time spent in the darkroom.”
Jacob Wasserman
Occupy Wall Street, 2011
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Jason Lin
Procrastination, 2020
Digital Composition
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Jay Peetz-Alio
Pure and Fragile, 2019
Digital Photograph
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“The MS 51 photography program gave me the opportunity to learn, discover the world around me, experiment, create, develop skills and fulfill a passion. I couldn’t be more thankful! I hope that the program continues forever so others can get the same amazing benefits.”
Jennifer Episcopo
Little Sis, 1995
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
Johan Nolasco
Untitled, 2012
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“The photography program at M.S. 51 gives our youth an accessible outlet to create art and enjoy art. It helped me see that creative expression isn’t limited to just paper and pen, but instead focuses on trying to figure out how to formalize your vision. Truly a cultivating, warming and nurturing place.”
Jordan Burda
Two Figures, 2017
Digital Photograph
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Judy Kuhn
Photogram, 2019
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Kate O’Brien
Kendra, 1996
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
Kendra Heisler
Becca and Lily, 1996
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
Kristin Rafferty
Dad’s Shop, 1998
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
“Having had severe anxiety during Middle School, I didn’t feel ready to branch out and perform on stage the way my family hoped I would. Being in photography gave me a lens to temporarily hide behind while still having a space to showcase my creativity. Mr. Zarba played an enormous part in helping me to climb out of my shell.”
*Current teacher at M.S. 51
Laura Coogan
Crest over Italian Door, 2000
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
Lily Chandler
Port, 2020
Large Format Photography
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“One of the most memorable things that I will take away from this photography program is the experience in the darkroom.”
Lucie Canzoniero
Time Capsule Country, 2018
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“I was always a shy kid. When I arrived at M.S. 51 at eleven years old and was handed a camera. My world was changed. It was the first time I was encouraged to have a voice in a medium that was comfortable to me. I learned how to use the strength inside of me into my photographs. Almost ten years later (which is insane) I am now the darkroom manager at my college and I continue to use my camera to have my voice be heard. It is a gift I was given that I will never be able to repay to 51 and the teachers there fully.”
Lukas Lipps
Hydrant, 2016
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Marisol Colon
Untitled, 1989
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
“The photography program at 51’s introduced me to this art form. It was the first time I used a manual camera and learned darkroom technique. Joe Zarba patiently showed us these basics but most importantly he taught us how to develop a photographer’s eye and to see the world from different angles and lighting. We weren’t students just taking photos, we were students learning to create art.”
Max Flatow
Untitled, 1998
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
“Joe Zarba and the M.S. 51 photography program is the reason that I am a professional photographer today.”
Michael Frumin
Untitled, 1991
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
Nora Geraghty
Untitled, 1993
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
“Mr. Zarba taught me to see the everyday world through a camera lens, a different perspective. It has stayed with me my whole life and was one of the best things I’ve learned in school.”
Paul Korzan
Untitled, 1996
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
Rachael Scharf
Venezia, 2001
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Joe Zarba
“Mr. Zarba’s photography class ignited a passion for photography and for Italy that has never left me. The class allowed us full creative freedom while giving us the tools to produce images in a variety of ways. I learned so much and have been able to incorporate many aspects of our photography class into my work and life. In 2015 as a Post-Bac student in Florence, IT, I combined my current medium, ceramics, with photography skills Mr. Zarba had taught us. My final exhibit consisted of thrown terra-cotta pottery painted with liquid emulsion and exposed with self portrait images. Quite a full circle moment!”
Raiyan Inan
Car Under the Stars, 2019
Digital Composition
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“Not only is the photography work itself amazing beyond words, a teacher like [Ms. Flatow] is also a big reason why I pursued this passion further. She made even the dullest aspects of photography a joy; she was a light-hearted and inspiring teacher that ensured photography was challenging but fun at every point.”
Reuben Kreps
Untitled, 2019
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Santi Ogando
Red Hook, 2010
Silver Gelatin Darkroom Print
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Sara Hamid
Photojournalism Assignment, 2018
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“The photography program has showed me a way of expression that will forever captivate me.”
Satabdi Saha
My father Praying, 2013
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
“Seeing this photo bought back so many memories of my dad. He passed away in 2020 so it was emotional seeing this photo. I remember him saying there was nothing special about him praying and that I should take pictures of other things. Now I’m happy that I have this picture of him.”
Shawn West
Internal Vortex, 2015
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Tom Grayson
Old Stone House, 2011
(Inspired by David Hockney)
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Violet Willoughby
Untitled, 2017
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Zoe Katinos
Love Water, 2016
Digital Photography
Teacher: Amy Flatow
Organizations
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William Alexander Middle School 51
MS 51 is a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive school with a community committed to ensuring all children feel supported and successful at this pivotal moment in their lives. Our curriculum, focused on challenging academics, an extensive study of the arts, and social-emotional learning, supports all students while they grow in their knowledge of themselves, one another, and the world.
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Photoville
Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.
In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, city-wide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.
By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, we join the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.
Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities.
For more information about Photoville visit, www.photoville.com
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PhotoWings
We’re honored to continue our partnership with Photoville for our 8th consecutive year, and to celebrate Photoville’s 13th edition! Each year Photoville provides so many rich, unique, and diverse experiences in and around photography–PhotoWings is thrilled to help enrich this community as Education Partners.
Our mission is to highlight and help facilitate the power of photography to influence the world. We help photography to be better understood, created, utilized, seen, and saved. We are dedicated to utilizing the power of photography to further deep thinking, communication, and action.
The PhotoWings Outreach Program and our extensive media archive have myriad educational applications and possibilities, including projects from partners that cross disciplines, generations, and cultures. We also create toolkits/curricula for replication, adaptation and/or inspiration.
PhotoWings has partnered to document the Photoville Talks for the past five years, to expand the ways the global community can be a part of these important dialogues. Explore the collection of Photoville Talks today!
Be sure to check out all the Photoville Resources that have been supported in partnership with PhotoWings
And for more information about PhotoWings, you can visit http://photowings.org/
Four Decades: A Retrospective of the M.S. 51 Student Photography Program
Featuring: Various Artists
Curated by: Amy Flatow
Locations
View Location Details William Alexander Middle School 51350 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
Number 66 on the official photoville map Click to download this year's mapRecipient of the 2023 Photoville & PhotoWings Educator Exhibition Grant
