A photography contest in the Downtown Eastside aims to empower its contestants by creating leadership skills and a sense of family.
Disposable cameras were given out in June to more than 200 contestants in June who took to the streets to capture special moments for the Hope in Shadows photography contest, an annual competition put on by the Pivot Legal Society.
“There’s a greater awareness now of what you see beyond the street corner,” said project director Paul Ryan. “But there is a real sense of community here.”
Ryan said the contest was initiated in 2003 to change negative attitudes about the Downtown Eastside and to encourage its members to show how they wanted to be represented.
The contest’s award ceremony and unveiling of the 2012 calendar was held Tuesday at the Carnegie Community Centre. A total of $ 2,500 in prizes was awarded with Kim Washburn winning $ 500 for his front-cover photograph.
“Some of the most amazing people in my life I’ve met here,” Washburn said. “A beautiful mixture of all these cultures brings hope and pulls us out of the dark.”
More than 200 vendors will be trained to sell the calendars and will earn 50 per cent of their sales. Since the project began, community members have earned more than $ 500,000 and many have secured stable employment afterwards.
The photographs will be displayed in upcoming exhibits throughout Vancouver and will first open at the Pendulum Gallery on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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