Marcos Barrera jumped at the opportunity to try something new at WMCAT. After the high school senior practiced the basics of photography in his Teen Arts + Tech Program studio, Teaching Artist Dennis Grantz knew Marcos had the creative drive to learn a new medium: film photography.

“And from there I kind of just, I really loved it,” Marcos explained. “So I’ve been doing a lot of film and that’s pretty much my favorite thing to do.”

What used to be an interest in photography has become a passion. Marcos has found a creative outlet that helps him share “stories that otherwise wouldn’t be told.” Now preferring film over digital, Marcos had four photographs recognized through the 2022 regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

The Teen Arts + Tech Program provides the space, tools, and community for students to elevate their voice and build creative confidence. “WMCAT has given me a lot of encouragement to be able to express myself through photography.”

Learn more about the Teen Arts + Tech Program at artstech.wmcat.org.

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