JACKSON, Wyo. — Curated by National Geographic Explorer Kirsten Elstner, My Community Means Home showcases the unique voices and perspectives of 40 young people across Wyoming as they embrace stories of their past, present and future through photography and writing.
The exhibition opens at the National Museum of Wildlife Art (NMWA) on Friday, Oct. 18, alongside a free public opening celebration from 5 to 7 p.m.
The photos and written works were created during two, week-long National Geographic Photo Camps, hosted in 2023 and 2024. Photo Camps are designed to offer young people a meaningful introduction to photography through instruction and guidance from world-class National Geographic Explorers and photographers. The mission of Photo Camp is to inspire the next generation of storytellers by helping them build their skills, confidence and a deeper connection with each other and their communities. In turn, Photo Camps showcase youth perspectives on issues that are important to everyone.
“It’s an honor to share the works of Photo Camp students at the National Museum of Wildlife Art,” Elstner said. “The students’ voices are the heart of Photo Camp, and this exhibit highlights their ideas and the powerful words and images they’ve created to show us what it means to be a young person in Wyoming today, from their own perspective. We see Photo Camp as a means to develop relationships and forge connections, using the power of storytelling to build community. We hope the students are as proud of their work as we are to call them our alumni.”
Wyoming, July 2024 – A school of fish swimming the Popo Agie River in Sinks Canyon, Lander, Wyoming. Photo: Arianna Friday//National Geographic Photo Camp
The exhibition highlights the landscapes, as well as the beauty and resilience of the people of Wyoming and the Wind River Reservation, seen through the lens of youth representing Latinx, Northern Arapaho, Eastern Shoshone and other communities across the state.
“We are thrilled to host this impactful exhibition at the Museum,” Steve Seamons, Executive Director of the National Museum of Wildlife Art said in a statement. “Our mission is to impart knowledge and generate wonder through art and education, and this exhibition clearly aligns with both of those directives. The Museum is a space for emerging artists to find their inspiration, hone their craft and display their work at the highest level.”
