Combing teaching/artist residencies with my international travel plans over the years has been a great way for me to learn about the communities and people who I have visited. In each of the communities below I was able to interact personally with my students and their surrounding communities. I brought my skills of photography, bookmaking and self-expression and gained amazing new relationships, invaluable cultural experiences and incredible stories
Noonkodin Secondary School: Eluwai Tanzania 2006
Noonkodin School is in the remote hillside village of Eluwai northern Tanzania. Most of its residents are Maasai pastoralist. In my time there, I shared basic photography and bookmaking skills to Maasai teenagers ages 12 – 19. Students viewed Baltimore City youth photography and writing and created their own photographs and writing documenting their homes, their school and their environment. Their work culminated in personalized handmade books and a school exhibit. Noonkodin is the only school in Tanzania that teaches a special program focusing on sustaining Indigenous Knowledge. Below are examples of student photography and documentation of the class.
Amelio Secondary School: Siem Reap Cambodia 2005
The Amelio Secondary School is located just outside of Siem Reap Cambodia. The school is a short distance away from the world-famous Angkor Wat tourist attraction but is in one of the poorest areas in the surrounding community.
In my short time at the school, I co-taught a class inspired by the “literacy through photography” curriculum created by Wendy Ewald. I taught this program to elementary students in Baltimore City and adopted the simple techniques for the elementary age students at the Amelio School. The students photographed their homes, their school and their environment. Their work culminated in personalized handmade books and a school exhibit. Below are examples of student photography and documentation of the class.
Sirius Arts Centre: Cobh Ireland 2004
The Sirius Arts Centre is located in southern Ireland in the small town of Cobh. It has the unique history of being the last town the titanic left from before its fateful disaster. For my residency at the center, I created photographs and taught literacy through photography programs to middle school students at a catholic girl’s school. The girls documented the Cobh community and made books about the rich history, architecture, and beauty of their community environment. The pictures above are examples of student work.
Snowy Mountain Grammar School: Jindabyne Australia 2001
Snowy Mountain Grammar School is a premier day and boarding school. I spent one school year living and teaching there in the small town nestled at the base of the Kosciuszko Mountain range. My classes ranged from basic art activities, to outdoor land art sculpture, and darkroom photography. I had the opportunity to work with children ages 5 – 18 and also supervised as a boarding staff. Below are examples of student photography, land art pieces and documentation of the class.
Beth Barbush 