Grapevine Photography Program Celebrates Successful First Year

In late March, The Homeless Grapevine started a photography training program under a grant from the Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council. Noted Cleveland photographer Steve Cagan readily agreed to instruct the students.

The students, comprised of currently and formerly homeless individuals, were set loose upon the City with cameras, and have already captured a number of thoughtful and
provocative images in a short amount of time.

The photos are currently on exhibition at Phoenix Coffee on Superior Avenue in
downtown Cleveland. Proceeds from the sales of the photos at Phoenix and elsewhere will benefit the artists themselves and help sustain the program in future years.

Future plans for the photography program include exhibitions in other local venues, and providing a space on NEOCH’s website for interested parties to purchase prints from these artists. Keep your eyes open for updates on NEOCH’s website, www.neoch.org, and stay tuned to watch the careers of these budding artists unfold.

For more information about this or other programs, please contact Kevin Cleary at 216.432.0540, or email kevincleary@neoch.org.



Top right photo: Students Howard Singleton and Jerome Pleasant pretend not to notice their picture is being taken during a class in April. Bottom left photo: Student Gary Waterbeck examines his photos after uploading them. Bottom right photo: Social justice photography guru and class instructor Steve Cagan describes the camera's menu options to student Cindy Miller on the first day of class. All photos in this release by Kevin E. Cleary.

A Grapevine promise

Unlike some other media outlets, The Homeless Grapevine will not attempt to ruin the ending of "Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows." On a side note, how is it that both iPhones and Harry Potter books were both handled with more security than many countries hold their nuclear weapons? -Kevin