Upon re-opening the ICP Museum this summer, the International Center of Photography launched its Neighborhood Collaborations with a diverse range of organizations in our new community around 250 Bowery. This initiative offers introductory photography, writing, and bookmaking workshops to local audiences across backgrounds and ages. One such collaborator is The Bowery Mission, whose main site is located just down the street at 227 Bowery, where it has offered hope to homeless and hungry New Yorkers ever since 1879, when the Bowery neighborhood was New York’s “skid row.”
Through this collaboration, a group of 17 Bowery Mission community members and staff went on a Guided Tour of Public, Private, Secret, and completed hands-on photographic and writing workshops. Focusing on their chosen themes of hope and empowerment, the first session was held at The Bowery Mission, in which students created still life photographs of personal objects representing hope. Participants then worked in the ICP Studio to make self-portraits of empowerment, exploring elements such as lighting, expression, gesture, and posture.
Images and corresponding writings will be presented in the public space at the ICP Museum from December 6 to 11. This program is free and open to the public.
ICP Neighborhood Collaborations are made possible through the generous support of the Altman Foundation. Additional support is provided by The William Randolph Hearst Foundation, Ravenel and Elizabeth Curry Foundation, Keith Haring Foundation, The Norman and Heewon Cerk Gift Fund, and by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.