Imagine A Show

I created Imagine A Show to showcase the imagination, passion, talent and creativity of youth through photography in the Waterloo Region. Each year (2012 to 2016) we sent a challenge to ALL youth (aged 0 to 18) to pick up their cameras and tell stories that only they can tell.

For five years we worked alongside community leaders including THEMUSEUM, Kitchener Public Library, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Maker Expo, snapd KW and Waterloo Public Library to deliver programs and inspire youth through workshops and opportunities.

Emily F, Age 15, 2014

Kira P, Age 5, 2014

Alyssa P, Age 7, 2014

Justin A, Age 16, 2013

Melissa S, Age 18, 2014

Aaron B, Age 16, 2015

Brenna M, Age 13, 2014

Once the photos were collected, they were organized and presented in both a book and a physical collection that showcased the amazing skill, talent and imagination of our youth.

In 2012, Imagine A Show was created to provide opportunities for youth to gain confidence as they showcased, and we celebrated, their unique and powerful photographic creations.

That first year was not planned to be the start of a multiyear project but now, as we wrap up our 2016 collection, we are proud to have assembled five books and five collections while showcasing hundreds of talented youth and over a thousand photos.

Thank you to Lori Crewe, the talented photographer and designer who assembled our book each year and to Anestis Papoutsis who shared with us his love and knowledge of photography at several workshops and events.

Thank you to all the fantastic organizations, businesses, teachers, parents, guardians and friends who were part of the inspiration and implementation of this project.

Most importantly, thank you to all the youth who shared their work and ideas through their photographs. Thank you for the passion you demonstrate in your work and life and thank you for sharing your photos and perspectives with us all.

Jason Panda

(Thanks also to Darin White for a wonderful article on our last collection.)

2012 with Waterloo Region District School Board

Our first year had us working with students from across the Waterloo Region District School Board. Secondary students developed pieces in their classes and Elementary students explored 5 different themes: The Wonders of Nature, The Art of Abstract Photography, My Best Friend Is My Pet, School Days, What Does Happiness Mean To Me?. A special thanks goes out to the WRDSB teachers who championed the concept, helped spread the word and challenged their students. The collection was displayed in May at Conestoga Mall, Waterloo.

Special thanks our Sponsors: Waterloo Region District School Board, Conestoga Mall, Arkay Design & Print

2013 with Grand River Hospital

Grand River Hospital challenged all students with 5 themes (Compassion, Respect, Collaboration, Professionalism, Positive Attitude) and also invited youth, with a parent or guardian, to explore the hospital with their cameras and take photos of key areas within. The list of available spaces included many key areas including operating rooms, inpatient surgery, childbirth, children and emergency. Our final collection was displayed in May at Conestoga Mall, Waterloo

Special thanks to our Sponsors: Grand River Hospital, Grand River Hospital Foundation, Conestoga Mall, Arkay Design & Print, Macro Class

2014 with snapd Kitchener-Waterloo

snapdKW invited youth across the Waterloo Region to celebrate what they loved and share it with the world through photography. This year we also ran a number of workshops at Kitchener-Public Library, Waterloo Public Library and THEMUSEUM hoping to inspire new photographers to step forward and share their work. The final collection was displayed Nov-Dec at THEMUSEUM, Kitchener.

Special thanks to our Sponsors: snapdKW, THEMUSEUM, Kitchener Public Library, The Shops Uptown Waterloo, Arkay Design & Print, Macro Class, Whatever’s Clever Media

2015 with Kitchener Public Library

We were back with more workshops at Kitchener Public Library and this year they challenged youth to take photos about collaboration, inspiring change and light. In addition to these sessions, more programming was developed with THEMUSEUM, Tinker Truck and Macro Class. One iteration of our collection was displayed Nov-Dec at THEMUSEUM, Kitchener while the final show was displayed at Kitchener Public Library the following March.

Special thanks to our Sponsors:  Kitchener Public Library, THEMUSEUM, snapdKW, The Shops Uptown Waterloo, Arkay Design & Print, Tinker Truck, Jaz Visual Solutions

2016 – The Final Year

This year we delivered workshops with THEMUSEUM, Maker Expo & Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery and received over 100 photos from youth across the region. Some photos were shown at THEMUSEUM at the end of 2016 while the final collection, thanks to the incredible printing by Darryl and his team at the UPS Store #404, was presented at Kitchener Public Library Gallery March 2017.