PPRC Photo Gallery: Tuesday, 16 October 2007

"Point-of-View: Prison Performing Arts" is the latest exhibit in the Point-of-View Series by the Public Policy Research Center at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. The series features photos taken by people who live and work in urban areas. They are taught the basics in photography and asked to document improvement to their community.

For the latest exhibit, photos were taken by youths at the St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center. They photographed other detention center detainees participating in Prison Performing Arts, a multi-discipline, literacy and performing arts program. PPA has been featured nationally on such programs as National Public Radio's "This American Life." The group is best known for their compelling productions of Shakespearian tragedies in which prisoners perform all the roles.

Since most of the individuals photographed were detained juveniles, a computer program was used to digitally manipulate their faces in order to protect their identities.

Aside from the PPRC Photo Gallery at UMSL, the a duplicate of the exhibit will be on display at the St. Louis Public Library's Schlafly Branch, 225 N. Euclid Ave. in St. Louis.

Each venue will hold opening receptions and discussions with Mel Watkin, director of the PPRC Photography Project at UMSL; Rachel Tibbetts, education coordinator at Prison Performing Arts; and Nathan Graves, activity coordinator at the St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center. The opening reception at the PPRC Gallery in the Public Policy Research Center at UMSL will be from noon to 1 p.m. on Oct. 16. The opening reception at St. Louis Public Library's Schlafly Branch will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 23 and will feature additional speaker Krista Rakers, the regional youth services librarian.

PPRC Photo Gallery hours are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday. On view Oct. 16 through Jan. 13.

St. Louis Public Library's Schlafly Branch hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. On view Oct. 23 through Dec. 8

Public Policy Research Center
362 Social Science & Business Building
University of Missouri-St. Louis
One University Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63121
(314) 516-5273