This is Us
Heartland Artist Gallery and Neighborhood Center team up to tell a story
PLYMOUTH — they say a picture is a worth a thousand words. the Heartland artists Gallery and the Marshall County Neighborhood Center; with the help of local individuals and families; united wiling hearts with helping hands to illustrate through photography the often unseen story of local families living at or below the poverty line.
“this is Us: a Photographic Storytelling Exhibit of the Marshall County Neighborhood Center” containing over 80 images taken by clients of the Marshall County Neighborhood Center is being featured at the Heartland
“I believe in the vital role art can play in the process of imagining and understanding the lives of others. I am hoping that this exhibit, like most art exhibits, challenges attitudes, sparks conversation, connects us on another level, and maybe, just maybe, spurs a call to action.”
- President of Heartland Artist Gallery Anna Kietzman
Artists Gallery for the month of January.
The goal of the exhibit is to raise awareness and encourage empathy. President of Heartland Artists Gallery Anna Kietzman stated, “I believe that art plays a vital role in understanding the lives of others. It helps build empathy and compassion and causes us to question our own beliefs and attitudes.”
Kietzman was inspired to collaborate on the project in October of 2019 when she participated in the annual Indiana Arts Commission Homecoming Conference. One of the presenters at that function shared about a partner project with their local food assistance program. Cameras were provided to willing clients who then captured the story of their lives through photography.
Those photos were displayed in an exhibit for the community to embrace and the result was increased support for those who suffered from food insecurity. Kietzman stated, “I was so inspired by the presentation that I texted Chris Garner [Director of the Marshall County Community Center] the second I left the seminar.”
Director of the Marshall County Neighborhood Center Christine “Chris” Garner was provided with the cameras from the gallery to distribute to willing clients and individuals who work at the center to capture their photographic journey.
Clients from diverse backgrounds were invited to participate including single fathers, single mothers, traditional families, and single senior citizens.
Garner stated, “We know our clients on a personal level. We have cried together, laughed together, celebrated together, prayed together, and encouraged each other. I hope the community sees through the stigmas and recognizes the beauty in each of these households.”
Clients were given complete creative freedom to take the photographs they deemed appropriate for telling their story. They were given basic instructions for how to operate the camera. Kietzman states, “I had no idea what to expect. I just wanted to look through their eyes and have them tell their stories.”
Gallery member and professional photographer Tony Straw assisted Kietzman with the task of editing the photos for print. Those photos depict sacred moments in the lives of individuals and families; showing what they see in their homes and their lives through the lens of their own experience.
Kietzman stated, “This photographic exhibit provides a gentle glimpse into the lives of those in our community who are most vulnerable and illuminates the impact the Neighborhood Center has on all of us.”
The hope is to inspire the community to take a deeper look at the lives of other people who may not have the same opportunities and resources as their neighbors. Kietzman wants more than an exhibit, she wants a movement. “Hopefully when people view these photographs it inspires them to have conversations, ask questions, and seek out information.”
She praised those who participated in the program; noting that it took courage. “It took a lot of courage for these folks to agree to let us see into their lives and share their stories and we are grateful to them.”