Photo Exhibit New Perspectives Recreates An "Island Oasis" Atmosphere in Brooklyn School's Cafeteria

New York, February 1, 2013

On February 1, Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) was delighted to take teachers, parents and students of the Brooklyn Visual Arts & Sciences Primary School on an exciting "study tour" to the Dominican Republic. The 50 some scenes of the Dominican Republic were presented through the itinerent photography exhibit, which was displayed in what became an "island oasis" of the school's cafeteria. The exhibit showcased aerial images from the GFDD and FUNGLODE publication “New Perspectives: Dominican Republic” documenting lesser-known images of the country.

The special "tour", started off from the welcoming words of the school's part-Dominican principal, Sereida Rodriguez-Guerra.
Ms. Rodriegez, thanked GFDD and one of the Dominican teachers, Sandra Vizcaino, for initiating such a beautiful exhibition in their school. A large percentage of the school teachers and students are of Latin or Dominican descent and bringing the photography exhibit in, provided the teachers and students with a wonderful opportunity to experience close the land of their heritage.

The principal also gave a special note of thanks to Dominican-born New York City government official, Jeanne B. Mullgrav, who was in attendance, and Brooklyn political leaders, Joe Lentol and Diana Reyna, for their strong support in advocating youth and community programs at P.S. 84 Jose De Diego Magnet School for the Visual Arts & Sciences. She continued that the school, which has been undergoing a rapid transformation thanks to a popular district-wide dual language program and a huge surge in parent involvement, is currently in the midst of fundraising for an enviormental awareness project for a school rooftop greenhouse.

The trip went on with a presentation of the exhibition by GFDD Executive Director Natasha Despotovic, who mentioned that she is orginally from Croatia. A naturalized Dominican, Ms. Despotovic recalled how the exhibit was born in 2004 during a routine flight from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana with Photogropher Anne Casale, she came up with an idea of capturing aerial images of the landscape passing below. The images taken were later presented in a form of the book, which was such an overwhelming success, the decision to create a traveling photo exhibition was made which to date has been seen by thousands in countries worldwide. On behalf of GFDD, Natsha thanked the school for its partnership and said that it great pleasure to present to the school audience today. She also hopes that this will be the beginning of a connection with students in the DR through cultural exchange opportunities.

The photography exhibit trip then came to its most enjoyable part – a reception with the Dominican food made by the students and their parents, some of whom were wearing traditional fokeloric Dominican dress. The GFDD team was glad to see so many happy smiles on the faces of the gathered crowd intrigued by the breath-taking images of landscapes of the Dominican Republic. The photography exhibition, in the view of the parents, was extremely educating, interesting and inspiring; it served as a source of pride for those present and successfully reconnected the two big cultures, American and Dominican.

The New Perspectives: Dominican Republic photo exhibit is free and open to the public daily February 1 - March 1, 2013 at PS 84 Cafeteria 250 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY.

Proceeds from the sale of posters, donated by GFDD, will go to the Greenouse Project at PS 84.

New Perspectives Dominica Republic hardcover book is on sale and can be purchased through the GFDD/New Perspectives websites or on Amazon.

Links
www.newperspectivesdominicanrepublic.com 

www.ps84k.org