Please join the Photo Department as we celebrate the 2019 and 2021 senior Gertrude Käsebier Prize recipients - Carolina Lizet '19 and Vanessa Leroy '21.

The reception will be on Friday, April 22, from 6-8PM.

The show is on exhibit Monday, April 11 - Friday, April 29, 2022

Thanks to the generosity of a MassArt Photography Program supporter, the department has a set of prizes to offer to Photography majors each spring. As a whole, these prizes are known as the Gertrude Käsebier Prizes. Two are granted to extraordinary Photography sophomores, two are granted to excellent juniors, and one is granted to a uniquely accomplished graduating senior.

The senior applicants must submit a written statement setting forth a plan to pursue a body of work in a specific place over a period of at least six weeks. The purpose of the award is to enable the student to explore in depth a single place, and to have the experience of living in an unfamiliar landscape. The recipient will receive a $5,000 grant to fulfull their travel plans. They are invited to particpate in the Photography Department's annual Alumni Panel the following spring, and hold an exhibition of the work from their travels.

Pa’ tras ni pa’ coger impulso - Carolina Lizet '19

Pa’ tras ni pa’ coger impulso is a series of photographs that depict the resilience and perseverance of Boricua karatekas, practitioners of karate, fromJuncos and Ponce Puerto Rico. Pa’ tras ni pa’ coger impulso is a common Puerto Rican saying that roughly translates to keep going and never lookback. The pictures are fragments of a community that encourages students of all ages to be strong, perseverant, and humble. Despite undergoing the scrutiny of American media that portrays the Latinx community asbandidos and bad hombres, our community is caring, fearless and resilient. The photographs show an empowered and dynamic view of Boricuasexemplifying the phrase “pa’ tras ni pa’ coger impulso.”

Take My Hand - Vanessa Leroy '21

Take My Hand is an exploration of queer love and relationships that blossom despite existing in an oppressive world. I interviewed romantic partners on their motives, desires, and hopes when it came to relationships. We collaborated on portraiture that represented both their individuality and partnership. I sought to visualize how the relationships that queer people share uplift each other and offer stability in uncertain times. I wanted to explore how queer people were defining love for themselves and within their relationships. What I discovered was an illustration of the power that both love and care have to help cultivate self-acceptance.