What happens when you put 35mm cameras, B&W film, microphones, minidisc recorders and computer audio editing equipment in the hands of high school youth and invite them to turn their attention to their community?  Moab photographer Bruce Hucko has done just that.  The result is Voices of Youth - Moab!  Images and audio combine to create a portrait of Moab as seen by its youth.  The work is fun, pensive, thoughtful and insightful.

The photographs come from a Winter Trimester photography course that Hucko has taught for the past 5 years.  In it students learn the process of traditional film developing and printing, and are challenged to use those skills in creative ways.  With classroom lessons in composition they are sent out to complete an array of assignments including landscape, people,  and one that fits the title "Must Be Moab!" 

The radio work began in the Summer of 2002 when Hucko received an NEA Challenge America Grant.  It continued this past Winter (2004-2005) with the introduction of a Voices of Youth - Audio course at Grand County High School.  Nine selected students work during and after school creating radio essays and documentaries that are first aired on Moab's community radio station KZMU.

"We are 'at risk' of losing our community identity," says Hucko. "By combining the technological and aesthetic aspects of photography and radio we've designed projects and created work that encourage youth to explore their relationship to this place they know as home.  The results are meaningful to both the student and the community.  I value the youth voice and with these projects they have a platform to be heard."  The program can serve as a model for other communities across the state.

This exhibit is composed of B&W photographs matted and framed to  and a set of 4 audio CDs.  Individual programs range from 3 to 27 minutes.  An accompanying notebook contains information on teaching photography and radio, captions, program notes, and other materials.

2008-09 Traveling Schedule
subject to change, check back for updates

October 8 - November 5, 2008
Franklin Elementary School

November 10 - December 10, 2008
Canyon Rim Academy

January 14 - February 10, 2009
Robert Frost Elementary School

February 10 - March 11, 2009
Wasatch Elementary School

May 11 - June 22, 2009
Springdale