Giving Sudbury youth a voice through photography

Photovoice is a program that empowers youth through photography, to experience their world in new ways and to make positive choices for their lives.

"Just their perception of how they see our city and see our parks and giving them a voice (is what the initiaitive is all about)," Ward 12 coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann said.

"I'm impressed with what the kids brought forward."

Forty kids from four different schools in Greater Sudbury were given cameras and invited to take photos so the public could see what the city looks like through their eyes.

Katana Matthews, a Grade 6 student from Lansdowne Public School, was excited to take part in the program.

Matthews' photograph entitled "Empty Space" is one of the pieces currently on display at the Art Gallery of Sudbury.

"I took this photo because there's no park in our play ground," Matthews said. "The school yard looked very empty and the little kid looks lonely.

"And I was thinking we should get a play ground for our school so that kids at Lansdowne have something to do."

The Photovoice Project will be displayed at the Art Gallery of Sudbury until Fe. 7. Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.