“Self-Portrait” Judith Leitner, Raven Lake, Ontario, 2020
VISION
That each MY VOICE MY LENS participant is inspired to contemplate one’s individual values, identity, and complexities through engagement in the art of self-portrait photography, and thus absorb the structure and meaning of a rich visual experience into one's wider personal and professional achievements.
MISSION
to implement a deeply introspective program through a series of workshops that integrate personal development with the craft of photography.
to cultivate visual stories grounded in the art of self-portrait photography – that enable meaningful conversations that invoke important questions about leadership, wellbeing, and image and identity
link self-expression and reflection with empathetic listening and response to diverse perspectives - underpinned by a profound baseline of mutual respect
HUMAN RESOURCES AND LEADERSHIP TEAMS’ ROLES INVOLVE:
meetings with Judith re: aligning an organization’s culture and practices with My Voice My Lens’ photographic themes
designating participants
organizing workshop and exhibition spaces and relevant technology
WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS’ COMMITTED INVESTMENT OF TIME INVOLVES:
creating and sharing self-portrait photography portfolios - during individual presentations and ‘round-table feedback
engaging in curatorial practices – composing Artist’s Statements and curating portfolio images
"Be Like Water My Friend" Lawrence Levinson - 2020, Wave Financial ohort 10, 2021
“MY VOICE MY LENS was impactful for me in developing a deeper understanding of the differences between the way I perceive myself and the way that others see me. True greatness comes from a diversity of thinking and opinions that are openly expressed with confidence and sincerity. The foundation for such an environment comes from trust, which in turn depends on relationships.”
Andrew Ratcliff, Excerpt, Culminating Exhibition Artist’s Statement, 2019, Wave Financial
MY VOICE MY LENS: Why Now?
1. As communities navigate the transition to post-pandemic in-person, virtual, or hybrid experiences, it is critical that innovative programs be introduced and incorporated in an organization’s culture, as strategies to:
empower and contribute to talent retention, growth, employee engagement, and employee health and well-being.
vitalize purpose and inclusive, equitable voices
2. Our multicultural society encompasses an expansive collective of diverse identities. As a lived experience, MY VOICE MY LENS fosters creative discourse to:
amplify compelling questions and foster a spectrum of perspectives re: individual and collective ‘diversity’, ‘equity’, and ‘inclusion’
animate and inform a rich dialogue on the role of the image in contemporary culture.
"Like Fire” Nadia Rauch - Wave Financial, Cohort 7, 2019
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A Window into The Arts and Leadership
MY VOICE MY LENS has the capacity to shape and invigorate ‘inclusive community’, illuminate the expansive complexity of ‘identity’’ and ‘inclusion’, and amplify leadership mindsets, skills, and practices.
Featured Image: "Untitled" Sarah Durning - Image and Identity, Wave Financial 2019
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A Window into The Arts and Wellbeing
This ground-breaking collaborative initiative illuminates the profound healing momentum in art. We all find and reveal ourselves through our interactions and conversations with people. Aphasia has a direct impact on conversation and thus compromises the very heart of what it means to be human. This exhibit enables 3 individuals with aphasia to present their humanity, a true statement of self-identity.
Featured Image: "Tree of Life" Anonymous - Cohort 1 The Aphasia Institute, 2014
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MY VOICE MY LENS: Program Modules
One-Day Intensive - in person or remote
Two - Six-Week Workshop Series - in-person or remote
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Additional Services Include:
Curatorial Services - on site and/or as virtual exhibition
Photo-Book Design and Creation
Consultation
Speaking Engagements