Through The Lens Educational Youth Program
"Through the Lens" is a collaborative analog photography program that originally ran from 1996 to 2016 under the leadership of Craig Richards. In 2024, the program was rebooted by former students Nic Latulippe and Soloman Chiniquay, in partnership with the Whyte Museum. This yearly program engages 35-40 students from high schools in Canmore, Banff, and Mînî Thnî, providing them with free access to film cameras, film, chemistry, and a darkroom. Students gain hands-on experience in film photography, processing, and darkroom printing while exploring themes of self-expression, community, and visual storytelling. Each year, the program concludes with a museum exhibition showcasing the students' work and the creation of a small book. By blending mentorship in analog techniques with storytelling, "Through the Lens" empowers youth to capture and share their unique perspectives, strengthening cultural engagement and artistic development in the Bow Valley.
