11 Nov Damak to Denver: A Picture Me Here Project
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In the Gallery: November 22 – December 20, 2014
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 22. 2 – 4 pm. Free
“Damak to Denver” features photographs and stories by Bhutanese refugees of their last days in a refugee camp, their journey to the United States, and their first days in Colorado.
Last Spring, Picture Me Here (PMH), a digital storytelling program for refugees based in the Denver Metro area, provided cameras and training to Bhutanese youth living in a refugee camp in Eastern Nepal. The young refugees were scheduled to resettle in Aurora and most arrived by August, 2014. This training empowered them to document their last days in the camp, their journey to Colorado, and their first impressions of life in the United States.
Since they arrived, professional photographers and storytelling mentors have been meeting with each participant to help them continue building skills and sharing stories. “Damak to Denver” features photographs, video and writings that reflect on the refugees’ past and their new lives in America. Books and prints will be available for purchase. All proceeds will support future PMH programs.
About Picture Me Here: Founded in 2012, PMH partners with CPAC as a fiscal sponsor. The project in Nepal is their first international project. PMH is committed to fostering communication, integration and connection among diverse groups of people.
“We provide a platform to empower refugees to share their stories, connect with others, engage in their community and build new skills, before and after resettlement. We also provide leadership positions within the program for dedicated participants,” says Brigid McAuliffe, PMH director.
Project Partners: Colorado Photographic Arts Center, United Nations Refugee Agency, International Organization for Migration, Caritas Nepal, Ricoh/Pentax, Aurora Cultural Arts District, City Museum of Kathmandu, Ralph Nagel/Nagel Foundation, 280 Kickstarter Donors.
The United Nations Refugee Agency, International Organization for Migration and Caritas Nepal were instrumental in helping PMH leaders with logistics for this project such as getting a permit to work in the camp and selecting participants scheduled to soon resettle in Colorado.