Mqt. Presque Isle sign photo project
Presque Isle Park in Marquette will soon have a new entrance sign.
It’s being created right now, and local young people are documenting the process in an art project.
Ten young members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community are learning about professional photography from artist Kristine Granger.
They’re all taking photos of painter Sherri Loonsfoot-Aldred as she paints the image to be featured on the new sign.
“I’m actually really interested in photography,” Lindsey Rabitaille of Marquette said. “I have a big camera myself, and I think Presque Isle’s a beautiful place to take pictures of, too. I didn’t know how to use these kinds of cameras that we’re learning.”
The students are getting lessons in the Anishinaabe language, and they’ll also learn how to develop their film in Marquette’s Rock Street Community Darkroom.
“We’re going to make a book at the end of all of our pictures and about Presque Isle,” Joan Van of Skandia said. “I’ve wanted to do photography for a long time, but I never had a nice camera.”
The KBIC, the City of Marquette and NMU’s Center for Native American Studies are teaming up to offer the three-week project, and it’s free of charge.