I've donated a print of my image, Silence & Sunrise, to the Stivers School for the Arts Silent Auction; an annual event that’s been supporting young photographers for about 20 years now.
A student from the Stivers Photography Department reached out to me with a very kind message about my work, and after learning more about the event and what it helps provide for students, I was even more excited to contribute and be part of it.
The auction raises funds to give students access to cameras, darkroom equipment, and other tools that allow them to explore and develop their photography skills. The money also helps fund scholarships and opportunities for students to travel and study art in ways they might not otherwise be able to.
Thinking back to when I first started getting into photography, I remember how crucial having access to the right tools was for me. Photography can be expensive, and without the right resources, many students might never get the chance to fully dive into it. Especially today, when film prices have become incredibly high, and darkroom equipment is a lot harder to come by. I love seeing programs like this making creative opportunities possible for the next generation of artists.
Silence & Sunrise will be part of an exhibition and silent auction happening on April 11, 2025, alongside awesome work from photographers from all over the world. An additional bit of personal joy for me is that my image will be in this exhibition along with an image from one of my favorite photographers - Bob Gruen. So that's pretty cool!
If you’re in the Dayton, Ohio area, I hope you can stop by and check it out. Not only will there be some incredible work on display, but every bid goes toward keeping this program running and helping young artists grow.
I’m very grateful to be able to contribute to something like this, and to be part of it, and of course give a huge thank you to the students and organizers for putting together such a meaningful event. It’s always an amazing feeling when art can help support and inspire others, and I’m honored to be a small part of that.
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