“The Gravel Underneath,” an exhibition featuring the photography and poetry of Bridges High School students, is currently on display at Anderson Ranch Center for the Arts in Snowmass Village. The show runs through Oct. 25 and combines black-and-white portraits taken by visiting artist Kathya Maria Landeros with color photographs and evocative poetry from the students, creating a unique blend of storytelling and visual art.
In February, Landeros met with the students, bringing her large-format camera to the high school to capture their portraits on film. Known for her community-oriented projects, Landeros emphasizes the power of combining visual art with poetry, fostering collaboration and creative expression.
“Kathya has a natural style — she’s a people person, and you can see from her photographs that she gets to the ground level and meets people where they are,” said Adam Carballeira, an English teacher at Bridges High School.
Landeros explained that a large-format camera enhances the collaborative atmosphere between the photographer and the subject. This camera requires careful consideration of composition, lighting, and focus, resulting in a slower, more intentional process.
“The camera’s bulky presence necessitates time for setup on a tripod, creating a focused environment that promotes engagement with the subject,” she said.
The shared experience is heightened when using a large-format camera, allowing for eye contact and communication throughout the picture-taking process. “One thing I like about the camera is that the rangefinder is different. One of your eyes is always looking through the camera, but there’s still a lot of communication as you make the picture. I continue a conversation as I compose and focus. When the shutter is released, I also make eye contact with the person. It’s a lovely way of engaging,” Landeros explained.
The artwork resulting from this project resonates powerfully, reflecting the students’ voices and experiences. Andrea Harris, now a full-time English Language Development (ELD) teacher at Roaring Fork High School, played a crucial role in connecting Carballeira and Anderson Ranch to get the project started.
Carballeira was teaching a class focused on ekphrastic poetry — a genre of writing that responds to visual art, inviting readers to engage with both the poem and the artwork. The incorporation of poetry creates a dialogue between the two forms, enhancing the students’ artistic expression.
Anderson Ranch staff supported the students in their artistic endeavors, allowing them to explore photography with disposable cameras. The students’ images are displayed alongside their written work from the poetry class taught by Carballeira, showcasing their artistic growth through collaboration.
The exhibition highlights the students’ talents and emphasizes their shared experiences. “There are certain things that teens go through that I know I went through and thought, ‘Well, I must be the only one that thinks this way,’” Carballeira reflected. “You think you’re alone until you hear someone’s poem, and you’re like, ‘Oh my god, that person just wrote their story, and it was about me.’ Suddenly, you’re not alone anymore.”
The exhibit is a testament to the transformative power of art and community collaboration. “We’re not reading poetry for ourselves; it’s for the people that hear it; it’s a gift to them,” Carballeira added.
For more information on Anderson Ranch events and programming, go to www.andersonranch.org