On Thursday, July 28th from 6 to 8pm and taking place at DOS Coffee and Wine, you will have the opportunity to view incredible images captured by photographers that are as interesting and inspiring as the photos they take. All proceeds made from this event will support the January 2017 workshop.
Vision for Empowerment is a crowd-funded series of photography workshops that take place in Kolkata, India and are facilitated by local St. Augustine photographer Sarah Annay. Partnered with Kolkata-based nonprofit organizations Made By Survivors and Women’s Interlink Foundation, Vision for Empowerment offers a new opportunity for women living in poverty in the red light districts. These workshops offer a chance for women in the slums at risk to learn about digital media and design, a field of employment that is typically dominated by men in Kolkata. Not only do these workshops provide art therapy for its participants, but it allows them the opportunity to share their personal visual narrative of their lives and the place they call home with the rest of the world. The photography created by these talented individuals tend to focus on portraits that will empower them and promote positive body image (as if you needed any more reason to be amazed by what this program has to offer).
During her time spent in Kolkata, Sarah Annay works with small groups of women that live in the slums and are especially at risk of drug abuse, sexual exploitation, and being trafficked. Many of these women have aspirations to do more with their lives, and these workshops can give them an opportunity to do just that. While the women are learning something new, they are also shown an example of other women who are independent and have their own careers from their teachers, such as Sarah herself.
“I have been blessed with many opportunities in my life — as a professional artist, an educator and a female business owner — and I want to share the gift of photography with young women that have not been given the same opportunities,” said Sarah.
The workshops last 6 weeks and the students meet Monday through Friday. Along with lessons that include worksheets, slideshows, printing and discussion/critique, the students were able to go out on photo excursions each week that allowed them to put their lessons into practice. When they aren’t going on excursions, the classes meet at locations provided by Made by Survivors and Women’s Interlink Foundation, both of which are organizations that provide counseling, education, shelter, and job opportunities to survivors of human trafficking and at-risk women; many of whom take part in these workshops.
Sarah was originally inspired to start this program after watching a film on Sonagachi, the largest red light district in India. What started out as a dream turned into a reality after a lot of hard work and dedication, and it is easy to say that her hard work has certainly changed the lives of multiple women in Kolkata.
