One of the most influential figures of the twentieth century, Gordon Parks (1912-2006) not only impacted the arts, but also effected change in race relations, civil rights, and social justice. At Magic Box, we often have our students engage with Parks' work through photographs, research and writing. Magic Box’s “Through My Eyes” program, now in its fourth year at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (JKO) High School, uses Park’s groundbreaking photography as part of this language based, literacy rich, media art curriculum.
The results of Magic Box’s program at JKO are undeniable; in the past four years, each senior participating in the program has been accepted into two- and four-year colleges. Our students—typically the first in their families to attend and graduate from college--have gone on to study photography and media arts at institutions including Johnson & Wales University, FIT, Howard University and the University of Miami.
We are very proud to announce that two JKO students participating in “Through My Eyes” received awards from the prestigious 2015 Scholastic Art regional competition! Fatimah Abdullah was awarded a Silver Key and Titianna Miller received a Gold Key.
MBP is grateful to The Kinder Morgan Foundation for their support. By bringing students access to quality media arts education, we are preparing them for success in high school and beyond.