Gallery 2023

True NM Voices is an off-shoot of the larger True NM annual anti-racism, youth-centered, arts-based project developed as a collaboration between the New Mexico Asian Family Center (NMAFC) and the New Mexico Black Leadership Council (NMBLC). Where True NM is open to Black and Asian youth, True NM Voices 2023 was co-sponsored by Families United for Education and Explora to expand its reach and integrate youth artists from all NM communities. This is the first workshop series for the True NM Voices program focused on photography and the experiences of youth with Albuquerque Public Schools guided by the prompt:

“What is your True NM school story?”

Throughout September 2023, sixteen youth artists engaged in photography and collage workshops. They learned various skills from experienced photographers Tara Armijo-Prewitt, Sheldon Hamilton, Isa Tafoya and Joshua Stricklin. Through independent daily challenges, they practiced taking  photos that showed the world through their unique lens. Stories of their school life and experiences were recorded in writings, and through voice recordings, to accompany the photo-collages they designed. Each final piece illustrates one aspect of the experiences these students have had in Albuquerque Public Schools. At the conclusion of the program, the artists shared their works with community members at an APS School Board candidate forum. Their works then traveled to Explora X Studio for a month-long exhibition that was open to the public in November 2023.