Students from the “3rd Photography Workshop: Faces of Quilombo” participate in a photo tour in the Quilombola Community of Santa Cruz in RO

The workshop project was supported by the Funarte Retomada 2023 – Visual Arts Program.

In the bucolic setting of the Quilombola Community of Santa Cruz, located in the municipality of Pimenteiras do Oeste (RO), students from the “3rd Photography Workshop: Faces of the Quilombo” participated in an exciting photographic tour and delved into the nuances of Afro-Brazilian culture, capturing in his lens the vibrant essence and deeply rooted history of this community.

The photo tour is part of the activities of the “3rd Photography Workshop: Faces of Quilombo” project, which was promoted by the Funarte Retomada 2023 Program – Visual Arts.

The project coordinator, cultural producer and journalist Andréia Machado informed that the participants embarked on an exciting photographic tour that took place in April and included the participation of 100 students who were able to put into practice the knowledge acquired in theoretical and practical classes workshop photography.

The “3rd Photography Workshop: Faces of Quilombo” took place between February and April 2024, totaling 20 hours, and all students received certification for participation in the workshop.

According to Andréia Machado, the purpose of the activity was to put into practice everything that was learned during classes and create a photographic record of the quilombola community, encouraging the preservation of local culture and intercultural dialogue.

“These images are not just ordinary photographs, but rather windows into the lives, experiences and perspectives of the members of the Quilombola Community of Santa Cruz”, emphasizes photographer Washington Kuipers, reflecting on the impact of the photographs produced by the students.

In addition to photographic practice, the workshop provided moments of reflection and exchange of experiences through conversation circles and a photography exhibition. The diversity of perspectives and experiences enriched not only the participants’ photographic repertoire, but also their perspectives on the world around them.

The experience was described as truly enriching by participants. For sociologist Marcio Guilhermon, the tour was marked by stunning photos and contagious enthusiasm. “The students really liked it. The tour yielded beautiful photos. Everyone was very excited. And it will be a great challenge to choose the photo that will be part of the photographic exhibition. It was very cool. All students are grade 10”, highlighted Marcio Guilhermon.

For student Isadora Cavalcante Barros, the workshop represented a space for learning and inspiration. “The idea of ​​getting to know other people’s experiences, other perspectives, and various other references and knowledge”, shares the student, highlighting the importance of exchanging knowledge and perspectives.

Andréia Machado expressed her gratitude to the National Arts Foundation – Funarte for the support that made this significant project possible. For her, the photo tour was a unique opportunity to experiment and improve skills, enriching not only the students’ artistic repertoire, but also their understanding of the importance of cultural preservation and combating racism.

Text: Advice
Photos: Washington Kuipers