Pat Zacks at the Camera Werks in Providence feels compassion for inner-city kids whose schools can’t offer many enrichment activities. That’s why she volunteers every year to mount and hang 500+ juried photos by Pawtucket, Rhode Island, fifth graders (and a few grownups).
On Wednesday I stopped off at the gallery where the “Calling All Cameras” photos are on display until the end of September. The theme this year, submitted by Linda C. Dugas, is “Pawtucket’s Color Palette.” Winners of this, the 18th, annual photo contest also get their work featured in the city calendar.
An impressive slate of judges are responsible for choosing this year’s winning photos (Butch Adams, Richard Benjamin, Christy Christopoulos, Jesse Nemerofsky, and Aaron Usher). Winners will be announced September 25.
I wish my photo of a child’s box turtle entry had turned out well enough to post, but I’m sharing a couple other favorites here.
Stop by the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor visitor center, just off Interstate 95 in downtown Pawtucket, to find the box turtle. The visitor center is opposite the historic Slater Mill, birthplace of America’s Industrial Revolution.
And if you are ever in Providence, please check out the Camera Werks on Hope Street. Pat’s Facebook page, here, has more information on the photo exhibit.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
It’s so hard to take photos of framed photos! This is another fine example of a seemingly small initiative that has a positive effect for lots of people!
I hope these children are bringing everyone they know to see the results of their photo workshop. I doubt there are many deep pockets in Pawtucket, but someone needs to fund enrichment classes for schools.