Working with Taos Pueblo 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from Taos Day School, the Couse-Sharp Historic Site team created an elective workshop to teach photography skills and develop an exhibition. The students visited the Site early in the program to hear the story of the Taos Society of Artists and the importance of the work created in partnership with models from Taos Pueblo. Students focused their cameras on wildlife (and pets), landscapes, and portraits, with the ultimate goal of documenting their world, and participated in critiques on their work. At the end of the course, they each submitted several photographs, and a curatorial committee selected the 26 exhibited images.

Through the Lens reverses the camera’s “gaze” to showcase the perspectives of these eight young people. The educational team aims for the students’ success to encourage and empower them and other youth at Taos Pueblo, demonstrating the transformative power of art.

If you can't make it to Taos to see the exhibition, all the images are available in an online gallery here.