Established by Judy Herman in memory of her husband, the John Wessel Photography Program is designed to provide a creative outlet to low-income youth with the hope of sparking a lifelong passion for photography. The five-week instruction takes place at the Family Resource Center at Harbor Village Apartments in Harbor City in partnership with Project Access, a non-profit dedicated to giving low-income families the tools to break the cycle of poverty.
Teaching artist Henry Cherry is a journalist, documentary filmmaker and artist based in Los Angeles, California. Cherry studied painting and film at Antioch College in Ohio and at the University of Texas Radio Television and Film School. His work as a chef, ranch hand, bar owner, and musician has enabled him to think out of the box, which aided in the creation of this program. The artist describes his goals for the program in this way, “As much as a photography class should explore light and angles and framing organically, it should offer playfulness of spirit and kind intent. If you’re having fun your subjects respond. Photography is something you can do for the rest of your life.”
This program is funded by the John Wessel Photography Endowment. For information on how to contribute to this fund, please contact Community Engagement Director Gail Phinney at gphinney@pvartcenter.org
Scroll down to view 2020 Annual Exhibition