Our World: The Children of Oakland - Photographs by Marianne Thomas (RPCV Venezuela)



Marianne Thomas has shown her photos on many issues and subjects in numerous art exhibitions. She was a general winner in the 2000 M.I.L.K. International Photographic Competition and received an Award of Excellence in the 1998 Pictures of the Year Competition. Thomas is a photo editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as an instructor at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco.

Our World: The Children of Oakland - Photographs by Marianne Thomas (RPCV Venezuela)

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Cuckoo's Nest Café Metro present: Our World: The Children of Oakland

Photographs by Marianne Thomas

Marianne Thomas"As the project progressed, I noticed that no matter what the background of the children, they had such joyous spirits. I tried to cover the spectrum of the childhood experience as it unfolded for me so that, together, the photos made a statement about being a child."
-- Marianne Thomas, Photographer

Children of Oakland is a project of InnerCity Expressions, a teen graphic arts business run by Harbor House. Volunteer professionals train teens in skills such as computer graphics, marketing, accounting, printing, photography, interviewing and writing. The teens produce flyers, newsletters, business cards and other graphic art services for Harbor House and outside agencies.

The teens who worked on the project--Takena Feazell, Mercedes Gibson, Katie Khanthavong, Arnell Pleasants, and Lai Saelee--helped set up photo shoots, interviewed virtually all the child subjects for the book, transcribed the interviews, and helped with planning and marketing.

This exhibition demonstrates the beauty of Oakland through 37 children from different ethnic backgrounds. As Brenda Payton, journalist at The Oakland Tribune noted, "The children personify the beauty and power of racial and ethnic diversity. In these stunning photographs by Marianne Thomas, they share themselves openly, the way only children can." As the photographer, Thomas not only captured the differences between children, but also their similar values and pastimes.

The display of photographs and book of the same title were produced by InnerCity Expressions, a business run by Harbor House Ministries, Inc., that trains Oakland teenagers in graphic arts and business skills with assistance from volunteer professionals. The book contains 48 photographs, full captions from the children, photographer's notes, and a description of a cultural tradition represented by each child.

Marianne Thomas has shown her on many issues and subjects work in numerous art exhibitions. She was a general winner in the 2000 M.I.L.K. International Photographic Competition and received an Award of Excellence in the 1998 Pictures of the Year Competition. Thomas is a photo editor at the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as an instructor at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco.

All photographs were taken by Marianne Thomas between March 14, 1999, and July 16, 2000.
Order the book from Harbor House Ministries, Inc. (510) 534-0165

When this story was posted in July 2005, this was on the front page of PCOL:



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Special Events for RPCVs Join the NPCA in DC for Advocacy Day on July 28 NPCA to hold Virtual Leaders Forum on July 29 RPCV's "Taking the Early Bus" at Cal State until Aug 15 "Artists and Patrons in Traditional African Cultures" in NY thru Sept 30 See RPCV Musical "Doing Good" in CA through Sept RPCV Film Festival in DC in October

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July 17, 2005: This Week's Top Stories C. Payne Lucas writes "Can we win the war on HIV/Aids?" 11 July Director Vasquez hints at expansion in Bangladesh 17 July Why didn't I spend my life helping others? 17 July John Beasley returns to the islands of Micronesia 17 July Jennifer Field to study glacier melting 17 July Tucker McCravy works with Serendib in Sri Lanka 17 July David Vick writes "Waging civilized warfare" 16 July Tom Petri says Nelson helped to promote civility 16 July Peace Corps Director Visits Volunteers in Mongolia 15 July John Bridgeland writes "An example for Boomers" 15 July Robert Blackwill says India and US have a great future 15 July Peace Corps debuts new internet recruitment tool 14 July Eight New Country Directors Appointed 13 July Shelton Johnson Honored for Buffalo Soldier program 13 July Bill Lorenz leads trek for Sudanese refugees 12 July Emilie Pryor says Peace Corps ignores Lariam problems 12 July DDN is Award Finalist for reporting on PC Safety 11 July Randy Lewis to hire 200 people with cognitive disabilities 10 July Maryland needs people like Tom Lewis 10 July Dan DeWayne puts on music festival 10 July

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July 9, 2005: This Week's Top Stories Mike Honda says Democratic Party in paradigm shift 6 July Peace Corps Suspends Program in Gabon 8 July Thomas Tighe says Thailand is faring better 8 July Michael Parmly appointed top diplomat in Cuba 7 July Paul Timmreck got his start trailing garbage trucks 7 July Shays says London explosions should be wakeup call 7 July Tom Murphy says: Be Vigilant, But Not Afraid 7 July Gov. Doyle saddened and outraged by London Attacks 7 July RPCV Films organizing Film Festival 6 July Terez Rose writes Aid for Africa – Will the G8 Help? 6 July Carl Youngberg takes ballet to Honduras 6 July Kafatia faces a mandatory eight years in prison 6 July Bill Moyers says LBJ hated FOIA law 6 July Andy and Trudy Anderson work with The Hunger Project 5 July Thomas A. Dine deplores the attack against reporter 5 July Mime Troupe tackles history, politics and the World Bank 4 July Francis Mandanici says investigation could lead to impeachment 4 July Beth Bedinotti says motherhood is "toughest job" 1 July Director Vasquez Visits Volunteers in Eastern Caribbean 1 July

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July 8, 2005: PC suspends program in Gabon Peace Corps announced the suspension of the program in Gabon citing the high cost of the program. In addition, a 2003 Inspector General report documented safety and security costs of $1 million that would be necessary to keep the program operating successfully. Background: In 1998 Peace Corps Volunteer Karen Phillips was was found murdered in the weeds about 100 yards from her home in Oyem, Gabon. Her killer has never been brought to justice.

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