The Edmundite Missions, in collaboration with the Selma Arts Guild, is hosting a Community Exhibition of Youth Photography Aug. 25 from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Selma Art Guild Gallery on Selma Avenue.

The photographers to be featured in the exhibit are sixth to eighth-grade students that took part in the Edmundite Missions’ New Possibilities Youth Program, in which they were afforded the opportunity to take part in a distance-learning session with published nature photographer Robert Dimmitt before setting out on a week-long effort to shoot their own nature photographs.

Once all of the photos were in, Dimmitt and the Selma Art Guild judged the offerings and selected 20 photographs to be featured in the upcoming exhibit.

Edmundite Missions CEO and President Chad McEachern said that the inspiration in launching the program comes from the same place as their other programs.

“Our inspiration is always the same,” said McEachern. “Show the children new possibilities and help build the academic skills they’ll need to turn those possibilities into realities. Whether it is photography or lacrosse or any other activity, our inspiration and our goals remain the same.”

McEachern hopes that the photography exhibit will be a chance for their kids to grow in self-confidence as they present their photographs next Sunday.

He also cited the exhibit as a chance for the community to come out and encourage the children who are trying to better themselves and create a better future for themselves.

“So many times, the narrative we hear about the children in our communities is a negative one,” said McEachern. “I encourage everyone to come get to know our kids in a really positive environment.”

McEachern added that the photography project was beneficiary for all of the children involved. Though the children learned many skills related to photography, McEachern said the biggest takeaway from the program was the sense of creativity it instilled in the children.

“In today’s fast paced world where everything is often an app away for our young people, photography gives them a chance to learn that patience can often be rewarded with the best final product.”

Though this summer was the first year Edmundite Missions has included a photography element in the New Possibilities Youth Program, due to the success of this year’s project, it will likely be included in future summer camps.

“We are always searching for new experiences for our kids to have so the program will always change somewhat from year to year,” said McEachern. “But we also like to keep elements of things that get kids the most excited.”

According to McEachern, the children are excited to share their photography with the community.

“These kids are so excited to welcome people in and tell them about their photographs,” he said. “All photographs will be for sale and the camper that produced the photograph will keep proceeds from the sale. It’s going to be a very exciting night for Selma.”