2006.08.30: August 30, 2006: Headlines: COS - Kazakhstan: Photography - Kazakhstan: Florida Times Union: Joella Davis has joined the Peace Corps and will spend two years as an education volunteer in Kazakhstan
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2006.08.30: August 30, 2006: Headlines: COS - Kazakhstan: Photography - Kazakhstan: Florida Times Union: Joella Davis has joined the Peace Corps and will spend two years as an education volunteer in Kazakhstan
Joella Davis has joined the Peace Corps and will spend two years as an education volunteer in Kazakhstan
Her mother, Naomi Gramonte of the East Arlington area, said her daughter is anxious to see the world, become immersed in a vastly different culture and photograph the people of Eurasia. Davis earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts in photography at UNF in 2005. "She's a little nervous now that she's actually on her way," said her mother. "But she's anxious to get to know the country and take pictures. I think she hopes to do a book when she gets back."
Joella Davis has joined the Peace Corps and will spend two years as an education volunteer in Kazakhstan
Peace Corps sending her to faraway Kazakhstan A young photographer is thrilled at the opportunity to see a different culture.
Aug 30, 2006
Florida Times Union
Caption: Photographer Joella Davis was joined by her brother, Anthony, and her mother, Naomi Gramonte, at the opening of her "Faces of the Port" exhibit at the Main Library in February. Photo: KYLE PETERS
When this young Jacksonville photographer said she wanted to expand her horizons, she really meant it.
Joella Davis, a graduate of Sandalwood High and the University of North Florida, is on her way to Kazakhstan, a huge country between Russia and the People's Republic of China.
She's joined the Peace Corps and will spend two years as an education volunteer in Kazakhstan, which was the second-largest republic of the Soviet Union.
Her mother, Naomi Gramonte of the East Arlington area, said her daughter is anxious to see the world, become immersed in a vastly different culture and photograph the people of Eurasia. Davis earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts in photography at UNF in 2005.
"She's a little nervous now that she's actually on her way," said her mother. "But she's anxious to get to know the country and take pictures. I think she hopes to do a book when she gets back."
She said her daughter has always had an interest in art and photography.
"She is very artistic and has a great eye for detail and color," Gramonte said. "Her uncle was a photographer in Vietnam. I think he inspired her and she very much wants to be a photojournalist covering people in foreign lands."
Earlier this year, Davis' photographs were displayed at the Main Library downtown in an exhibit called "Faces of the Port."
The two dozen black and white photographs featured people involved in Jacksonville's maritime industry.
"We wanted to show people it's not just the cranes and the boats and the forklifts," she told the Times-Union during the exhibit in February. "It's the people."
She said she's always thought photographs captured people more than words do. And when she found out the Peace Corps would deploy her overseas, she immediately thought of the photographic possibilities.
Her mother, who just retired from the Army as a sergeant first class, said her daughter should adapt quickly to her surroundings.
"I recently did a tour in Iraq and spent 20 years in the Army, so Joella has learned to be independent and adapt. She'll be fine."
She said her daughter lived with her in the Philippines for a few years while growing up.
During the first three months of her service, Davis will live with a host family in Kazakhstan to become fully immersed in the country's language and culture.
After acquiring the language and cultural skills necessary to assist her community, Davis will serve for two years in her host community, living at the same level as the local people.
Two years after Kazakhstan gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Peace Corps assigned volunteers to the central Asian nation. Since then, nearly 700 volunteers have served in Kazakhstan. Since being formed in 1961, more than 182,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps.
Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens, at least age 18 and agree to a 27-month commitment
.john.carter@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4539
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Story Source: Florida Times Union
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