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On Friday evening, April 17, over 300 friends of Youth in Focus braved the unexpected sunshine to attend YIF's 13th annual doublexposure auction.
For the second year the swanky-funky event was held at the South Lake Union Armory. The live auction featured 43 wonderful photographs donated by national and international photographers. Auctioneer Laura Michalek brought her famous brand of high-energy style to the selling. Highest dollar-fetching honors went to a marvelous photo of a Chinese woman carrying a goose on her head by Cristina Mittermeier and a candid shot of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama from the campaign trail by YIF's own board member Barbara Kinney.
The silent auction featured a range of treasures including 30 prints by Youth in Focus students. The highlight of the evening, however, was three students, Shakir, Kailee and Chloe (who also read a statement by a fourth student, Bonnie), who each talked vividly about what their experience at YIF has meant to them. For the second year, Birdhouse Creative produced a video piece that also captured student stories and artwork.
An army of volunteers supported every piece of the Herculean effort, with special kudos going to the annually intrepid team of Wells Fargo employees who staffed the reception and cashiering tables. Primary sponsors Getty Images and Museum Quality Framing were well represented by tables full of employees who took active roles in the bidding. When the last bid card was laid down, over $100,000 had been raised to support YIF's students in their work to discover themselves and their world through the lens of a camera! Thanks to all who played a role!
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Bonnie's comments about YIF that were read for the auction guests at doublexposure 2009
I am here to say a few words about my beloved Youth in Focus. When I first started youth in focus I already had some experience in photography. I knew how to handle a camera, how to get good shots. I'd even been employed as a photographer. At Youth in Focus I learned more about myself than anything else. Youth in Focus opened my eyes to a world outside my own. I am not a Seattle native and I've always thought that living in suburbia is like living in a bubble. And living in working class suburbia is like living in a painted bubble. No one can see in or out. Nothing changes and there's no room for diversity and dissent. I felt so free when I came here.
To attend Youth in Focus is a tremendous honor. They demand commitment and passion and as a result turn out students who produce exemplary work. I learned to tap into a deeper emotional place than I thought I had. I could never talk about it , write about it . But I could photograph it. Each quarter we embark on a difficult journey and learn something new about ourselves, and get a little bit closer to becoming adults. I am about to go away to school. To a new city, to a new world. But thanks to Youth in Focus I am not nearly as afraid as I should be. Youth in Focus has given me courage, confidence and done the impossible: give an atheist faith.
So I urge you to spend some money tonight, so hundreds, maybe thousands more kids can feel what I have felt, and go on to put more art in this world.
Thank you,
Bonnie
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Youth in Focus, as an organization that empowers youth through the art of photography, has been graciously invited to have a presence at this event:
Seattle Arts & Lectures Bollywood Benefit \ April 27
5:30–7:30pm, W Seattle Hotel
Join Mira Nair, DJ Manpreet, and fellow Bollywood enthusiasts for original bhangra re-mixed hip-hop, complimentary Indian-style hors d'oeuvres, Monsoon Martinis and other delectable drinks at the cash bar in the Living Room of the W Seattle hotel. Festive attire strongly encouraged. We're also raffling off an overnight stay at the W, free tickets to a SAL lecture, and a DVD of one of Nair's films.
Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door; call 206.621.2230 to get yours.
Seattle Arts & Lectures presents Mira Nair \ April 28, 7:30-9:00PM, Benaroya Hall
In all Nair’s films, she has built her stories on carefully composed shots, creating visually stunning and emotionally deep narratives of love and country.
Tickets: Student tickets are $10. Balcony: $25, Main Floor: $35
Patron: $50 (includes front-of-the-house seating and a post-lecture reception with Mira Nair)
Group discount: 15% on 5 or more tickets For your tickets, visit www.lectures.org or call 206.621.2230.
Winter End of Quarter Exhibit
Beginning Basic B&W/Intermediate B&W/Beginning Digital
WHERE: Youth in Focus Gallery
WHEN: On exhibit March 12 – May 29, 2009 |
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