Gibraltar Students Explore Photography at Björklunden

*submitted by Sue Pappas

On an unusually warm day in mid-March, a group of Gibraltar High School students participated in a course with Door County-based artist, Suzanne Rose. The course, small camera BIG PRINT, was part of a day-long retreat involving Gibraltar High School students working with Door County artists at off-campus sites around the county. The annual ETC Workshop is coordinated as a collaboration between Gibraltar School, Friends of Gibraltar and the Hardy Gallery, with Björklunden and The Clearing offering their spaces.

Suzanne described their experience as “a micro-immersion into the full circle concepts of fine art photography. From self-expression to collaboration to philanthropic endeavors while physically tackling assignments, making images (shooting), editing, participating in a group ‘crit’ and printing. Being on the Björklunden campus allowed the GHS students to shine and become their best selves as artists because of the relaxed vibe of the Lodge and immediate access to sublime nature.”

As part of their experience, the students used the grounds as their subject matter. They made photographs and printed them on site. One collaboration Suzanne led resulted in a framed photo created for, and donated to, a family selected for a new Habitat for Humanity home in Door County.