New American Stories [FotoFocus Biennial]

New American Stories features photographs made throughout the fall of 2017 and winter of 2018 by clients of the Refugee Resettlement Program operated by Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio. Each participant engaged in a short educational program under the direction of Prairie to learn about the western tradition of creating family photo albums, basic digital photography, and the possibilities for creating meaningful family portraits and snapshots. Each participant, from countries as distant as Bhutan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Dominican Republic, produced a body of photographs, then selected a set of images to be printed and included in a blank family album provided by Prairie.

One or two images from each participant, along with a short biographical narrative, is shown in New American Stories and included in the accompanying exhibition catalog. The images and albums created by these new Americans create strong family narratives of life in a foreign but promising land. They illuminate the ongoing global refugee crisis, as well as the enduring power of the American dream: freedom and opportunity.

Featured Artists: Yanitza Rosa-Martinez, Amrita Rai, Nandi Rai, Mangali Rai, Bhim Oli, Bhim Magar, Karna Rai, Wilton Compres, Mowazo Bembereza, Christine Bawili