Teens at The Brattleboro Retreat
Discover COLOR

The Brattleboro Retreat is a centuries-old mental health facility and historical landmark, located in Brattleboro, Vermont. For the past seven years, they have Jeff Winterling, the Night Charge for the Residential program, collaborated with the In-Sight Photography Project, Inc. to offer photo classes to adolescents in the Retreat’s Residential programs. In-Sight’s April student show at the Hooker- Dunham Theater and Gallery displayed work from this Spring’s Retreat class sessions at In-Sight.

The Color Project was instructors Hannah Wilson and Nora Zale’s way of establishing a group effort everyone could feel proud of. They conceived the project as an experiment that would incorporate teens at all level of technical skill. In the past, In-Sight classes focused on black and white photography and darkroom development. This is the only In-Sight class exploring color photography.

The Color Project allowed Retreat Students to venture into the community and re-discover it threw the camera. Students were chaperoned to Marlboro College, Hannaford Supermarket, and other retail outlets for photo opportunities. They focused on scenes with color and texture. The goal was, Hannah says, “to encourage seeing the world in a different way. Students were even seeking color on pavement, and other colorless environments.” The final display was a spectrum of a hundred images grouped by color tones.

Jeff Winterling, the Night Charge for the Residential program, said the showing marked a point of pride for many involved. “Education isn’t a real big value in SPED classes,” where he says the focus remains disciplinary. This unique collaboration is an experience Jeff feels has a positive influence on the kids. “In-Sight provides an example of a constructive, creative activity that doesn’t involve crime, sex, or drugs.” He states that most of the kids come from environments that involve conflict, substance abuse, and which do not put value on education or achievement. Jeff said, “In-Sight tells students ‘Here’s something you can do with your life besides hanging around getting high.” The In-Sight class is a rare off-campus opportunity for the kids in treatment, a chance to interact with other community members.

Jeff describes the staff as “young, hip college students. Some kids are responding to that positively.” Most In-Sight classes are taught by photography students from nearby Marlboro College. They are volunteers and work-study students who appreciate the opportunity to teach while pursuing a degree. For some, it was what brought them to Marlboro.

A photo installation is planned for mid-June at the Retreat, to close this session of classes. After a summer break, the class will resume again in the Fall, but funding needs to be set before that can happen.

This spring nine students enrolled in In-Sight’s Incentive Class. Over the session each student created an extended portrait exploring their sense of family. Many looked beyond traditional definintions, widening the scope of family to include those people most infuential in their lives. All students met the requirements of the class, and with the completion of ten service hours at In-Sight will have fully earned their 35mm cameras.