Each month we spotlight a teen, opens a new window at CPL.
Brandon N.'s entry in the 2016-17 Teen Winter Challenge stood out because of his incredibly thoughtful reflection and detailed information about photography interests and process as an artist. His compelling and mature voice, and charming personality came through wonderfully. For Brandon, "photography is… interesting, to say the least." He described how, for over a decade, he has gone from working with disposable cameras; flip phones; slide phones and now iPhones to take photos. He loves to capture animals, but also take night photos. All of the jurors were drawn into his narrative and unique storytelling approach. Additionally, everyone loved his art, in which the focal point was intentionally off, and the high resolution portraits indicated great skill.
Brandon is a second runner-up for the Senior Achievement Award, which means that he will be awarded a $250 scholarship which will be directly to the two- or four-year college or university of his choice.
The 2016-17 Teen Winter Challenge Jury:
- Ade Abioye of Chicago Public Library's Teen Services Department
- Christine Bespalec-Davis, Education and Programming Manager at the National Veteran's Art Museum
- Hillary Cook, Assistant Director of Youth Programming at the Art Institute of Chicago
- Joel Javier, Education Manager at Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
- Joshua Slater, Teen Programming Manager at Hyde Park Art Center
- Matt Egan of Chicago Public Library's Literature and Language Department
- Robin Willard of Chicago Public Library's Teen Services Department
- Sasha Neri of Chicago Public Library's Maker Lab and General and Information Services Department
