Young Voices Through the Lens: “Focus on Youth” Returns to the Albuquerque Museum

The public is invited to "Focus on Youth," a juried student exhibition at the Albuquerque Museum, which showcases the work of high school photographers and filmmakers.

A free opening reception will be held on Sunday, May 4, from 1 to 4 p.m., as well as an awards ceremony at 2 p.m. Focus on Youth is a part of a multi-decade partnership between the Albuquerque Public Schools Fine Arts Department and Albuquerque Museum.

The exhibition includes nearly 100 photographs and short films, created by APS Fine Arts students. Their work reflects mastery across a range of techniques, including silver print, digital, and special techniques in photography, art books, and digital film.

The exhibition gives students a unique opportunity to exhibit their work in the professional context of a museum.

“This is an opportunity for the community to witness the creativity and vision of the next generation of local artists as they take their first steps into the professional art world,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “Focus on Youth highlights the power of arts education to nurture the expression, innovation, and confidence of young adults across our community.”

APS art teachers submit students’ work, which is reviewed by a jury of professional photographers and filmmakers. Selected works are matted and framed by a team of art teachers and students before being transported to the Museum, where staff install the exhibition.

“Albuquerque Museum is proud to be a partner in elevating the works of student artists to the Museum where they can be viewed and enjoyed by a wider community,” said Albuquerque Museum Curator of Education Elizabeth Becker. “The exhibition is a platform for showcasing the creativity and experimentation of youth artists in our community.”

Albuquerque High School Art Teacher Karen Mazur says that exhibit-goers will feel inspired by the work.

“The student work that you will see in Albuquerque Museum is full of compelling stories and beautiful imagery. So much imagination and heart went into these pieces that viewers will come away feeling a little bit more optimistic about our shared future,” said Mazur. “For students to see their work professionally framed and on museum walls has such an impact. Many students have not even visited the museum and to see their own work or that of their friends on the wall goes a long way toward helping them understand that museums are for everybody, that their voices matter, and that working in the arts is an actual vocation.”

This exhibition is made possible in part by the Albuquerque Museum Foundation.