SCHWEINFURT, Germany - The back wall of the School Age Services (SAS) gymnasium came to life March 3, covered with photographs and digital art in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) Imagemakers competition.
Aca,!A"Since we have the partnership with (BGCA), itAca,!a,,cs one of the things they asked us to do,Aca,!A? said Helen Corriea, the SAS computer lab technician who guided the children through the project, beginning in September 2008.
Aca,!A"These kids started not even knowing how to put batteries in a camera, not knowing how to take the chip out of the camera,Aca,!A? she said.
Aca,!A"This is all their work,Aca,!A? she said, gesturing to all 88 pieces of art hanging behind her in the gym.
The children, whose work was displayed in three categories according age group Tuesday, took full control of their work, to include printing, matting and mounting.
Twenty-three children from SAS and five from the Teen Center offered their photographs for judging; additionally, 12 teens also displayed their work in the non-judged digital arts category.
Aca,!A"ItAca,!a,,cs amazing to see your children pick these things up as quickly as they do,Aca,!A? said SAS employee Betty Riggins, while admiring the childrenAca,!a,,cs artwork and photographs.
Aca,!A"They do some marvelous work,Aca,!A? she said.
While Corriea wanted the children to learn lessons about respect and responsibility through the project, she made them aware of her most important rule.
Aca,!A"They know that my number one rule is I want them to have fun. ThatAca,!a,,cs very important,Aca,!A? she said.
The six-month project also offered the children a couple other important lessons, according to Bobbie Jones, SAS director.
Aca,!A"One of the big things is patience. They didnAca,!a,,ct do this in a day or a week. This shows them that things do take time to get quality,Aca,!A? Jones said.
Aca,!A"And another thing is, everybody isnAca,!a,,ct always considered the best, but you can still be recognized for what you do. And I think thatAca,!a,,cs important for them to see Aca,!" that all of their art work is important,Aca,!A? she said.
Whether winners, runners-up or great photographers, the children seem to have gotten the point.
Aca,!A"I had fun learning to take pictures with all of my friends,Aca,!A? said 8-year-old Steven Fontelle.
Aca,!A"I learned how to put batteries in the camera and take the chip out of the camera and learned how to use it,Aca,!A? he said.
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