Tanisha Lynn Pyron
Tanisha Lynn Pyron is a viral subversive black girl artist making art that centers the narrative of marginalized black women & girls.
It centers the narratives of marginalized black women.
What this project means to me
Omar Willey
Omar Willey is a longtime journalist in Seattle. He is also the publisher of The Seattle Star.
In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is at the top of the pyramid. It is when our selves are complete that we can do our best for humanity and history. There are so many obstacles to being complete and one of the largest is people thinking that what they see on the surface, good or bad, is all there is. My work tries to dive below this surface to get at the real struggles and triumphs that are often silent but necessary to our mental health and physical well-being.
What this project means to me
Monica Liang-Aguirre
Monica is a life-long educator who as always worked on behalf of children and families farthest from opportunity. Born to immigrant parents, she's the lucky product of a multilingual and multicultural upbringing and feels most at home when she doesn’t quite fit in. She has lived in NY, AZ, MA, DC and now lives in Seattle, WA with her husband and three children. She has taken photos of other people for over 30 years and just recently started taking self-portraits.
As for all of us, 2020 threw me a few curveballs. Just as COVID was taking grip of the US, I was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. I wanted to document the transformation of my body and reality. I intentionally took these photos at time I was physically weak and emotionally vulnerable, knowing the moment was temporary but the grief was very real nonetheless.
What this project means to me
Michelle Provost
Michelle Smith-Lewis is a Seattle based photographer with more than 25 years of experience who specializes in theatre, dance, and portrait photography.
I have a close family member who suffers from depression. Bringing mental illness, depression, and suicide out of the shadows through art is one more piece of the puzzle that will help build healthier families and communities.
What this project means to me
Madeleine Gregor
Madeleine Gregor is a freelance dance artist and midwest transplant currently living in Seattle, Washington. Originally from Fargo, North Dakota she graduated from The University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. She is passionate about new explorations, pushing boundaries, and honest, authentic exploits. Since moving to Seattle she has had the opportunity to work with Christin Call of Coriolis Dance, Rainbow Fletcher of Hypernova Dance, Beth Terwilliger of The Gray, Liz Houlton and Alyssa Casey.
This project hits close to home because many family members, myself included, have struggled with anxiety and depression. Although I knew I wasn't alone, I did not feel as if it was an appropriate topic to talk openly about. As a society we need to work towards destigmatizing and normalizing mental illness so that young people feel safe and comfortable talking about these issues.
What this project means to me
Julian
Colombian artist based in Montreal , started my journey creating portraits of people i loved and with time I started experimenting about intimacy, self love and freedom from a queer view.
this project to me means one of the most sincere love and brotherhood I have been able to express and captured. The project and pictures feel so pure and honest that is easy for people to understand and relate to a feeling. To me is a feeling of passion, friendship, love, gratitude and forgiveness. It means a part of me, and all of us.
What this project means to me
Alex Opinsky
Alex is a Seattle based photographer and dancer. She is in her final year at Cornish College of the Arts majoring in Dance. Alex specializes in natural light portrait photography.
I've dealt with depression and anxiety since I was a child. Along my journey I've found ways to combat it, some better than others. But no matter how far I run from my mental illness, it always seems to creep back up. In my darkest days I no longer feel like myself, but just a shell. A shell that's drifting through life and time, hoping to reach the surface soon. Community and friendship has been the greatest weapon against my mental illness. That's why I'm sharing my story with you.
What this project means to me
Devin Marie Muñoz
Devin Marie Muñoz, Mexican American Seattle based photographer & filmmaker, has been honing her skills ranging in dance photography to editorial storytelling and film for the past few years. As a dancer herself, Devin blended her photography skills with her seventeen years of dance experience, bringing about the perfect fusion of her two passions.
This project helped me see myself in a different light. I was struggling to ask for help and bringing attention to my sadness brought guilt. We are all worthy of holding the attention of others we help. Being selfless is lonely and changing that expectation to show up no matter what needs to change.