Photovoice Artist Highlight: Ava D. Halls

At Blue Water Baltimore we know that nobody understands the solutions to the complex challenges facing urban neighborhoods better than its residents. Photovoice is a unique educational workshop series that seeks to empower local communities to see and shape the world around them through the creative process. This post is the first in a series that will highlight the work of our resident researchers in Oliver. You can read more about the Photovoice Oliver Project here: https://bluewaterbaltimore.org/blog/the-photovoice-project-oliver/. The next series of workshops will be held in Mondawmin this April; Mondawmin residents my contact Blue Water Baltimore’s Outreach & Education Coordinator, Michel Anderson, for more information.

The following photographs and narrative are the work of Oliver resident, Ava D. Halls.

Community Face

— Politically Correct 

—
Potential Life

—
Caged Beauty

—

My series of photographs portrays the face of a community that looks unwelcoming. Some of the failing modern-day infrastructure of the Oliver community – such as the sign that is factually incorrect and the potentially beautiful community spaces that are neglected and in disrepair. Despite the despair surrounding the Oliver community I see the potential for welcoming life back to the Oliver community.

—
About Ava:
Ava is longtime resident in the Oliver community. She has over 15 years of experience providing executive administrative support services to public, private, and government organizations. Ava is a service-focused, technically-skilled, qualified professional with an extensive background as an Office Administrator, Executive Assistant, Human Resources Manager, Receptionist, and Personal Assistant.

The views expressed in this post are those of the featured Photovoice participant and not necessarily that of Blue Water Baltimore.