Teenage girls from throughout the Capital Region share stories about the challenges in their lives, gathering with representatives of the institutions with which they are entwined – including the legal, educational, healthcare, and penal systems- in response to award winning photojournalist Brenda Ann Kenneally’s compelling work.

The Sanctuary will host a one day workshop to facilitate a dialogue between girls from the Upstate Girls exhibition, other young women growing up in the Capital Region, and the many agencies that can influence their efforts to break the cycle of post-industrial marginalization.

The day will begin with a tour of Brenda Ann Kenneally’s award wining photographs and responses to the work. We will continue with a scrapbook workshop facilitated by young women from the neighborhood, presentations by local change makers and breakout stations. The day will conclude with a final discussion with all participants.

This free workshop has been partially funded, in part, by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and the Media Justice Fund of the Funding Exchange.

APRIL 2nd SCHEDULE: “Upstate Girls’ Conversation”

12:00- 12:30 Brenda Ann Kenneally and the Upstate Girls: Exhibition Tour

12:30 Dr. Netter
Holistic Doctor, Nutritional Consultant, Reiki Master Healer and Teacher, Certified Professional Life Coach, presentation: Nutrition, how to make easy healthy meals and home healing ideas.

12:50 Jenn Thompson
Non-traditional education at HVCC, Power and orgasm (SUNY Albany PHD)

1:10 Mari Shopsis, Education Director, Rensselaer County Historical Society: Historical Scrapbooks. *The Upstate Girls Scrapbooks will be entered into the Rensselaer County Historical Society archive!

1:30 Stations and Informal Conversations

Smoothies and Trail Mix Stations: Karissa Centanni: Education Coordinator, Honest Weight Food Coop: Nutrition and Low-budget Tips

Scrapbook Station:                                                                                                                       Dana Aftab and the Upstate Girls

Press interviews

2:10 Blue Carreker, VP of Public Affairs and Marketing, and Megan Carol, Sexual Health Educator, Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood: Reproductive health information

2:30 Q Diamond, Program Director
Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council

2:50 Lisa Frisch, Executive Director, The Legal Project: Free and low cost legal services 

3:10  Alysa Cole, Family Health Advocates: Advocacy
Why Upstate Girls voices are important; how they can be heard

3:30 Wrap up conversation, Upstate Girls: Moving Forward

We are committed to lowering the barriers to access for events at The Sanctuary for Independent Media. For people who are hard of hearing or deaf, blind or low-vision, or whose physical limitations can interfere with a satisfying experience, let us know two weeks in advance so we can make appropriate arrangements.