Newest exhibition in museum’s Gallery Obscura on view through March 9, 2025
Rochester, N.Y., December 17, 2025—The George Eastman Museum presents the exhibition Evoke: A Youthful Expression, on view through March 9, 2025, showcasing the work of student artist participants of In Control, a program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York.
On view in the museum’s Gallery Obscura, the exhibition features six series of works created by nearly 40 student artists in the In Control fashion, photography, music, and media programs. Included are original clothing designs paired with photographs taken of the designs modeled at fashion shows, portraits in which the artists compare current identities to who they were before entering the In Control program, original songs written and performed by student artists, and two video works that represent different visions of youth identity and forms of empowerment.
“We are excited to be partnering with In Control to feature the works of the student artists who that participate in their workshops,” says Amy Schelemanow, the museum’s director of exhibitions, publishing, and design. “A primary goal of the Gallery Obscura, our community exhibition space, is to amplify the creative voices of regional youth. This dynamic multi-disciplinary exhibition is a strong example of the importance of the messages of the student artists and their personal journeys.
In Control program projects are designed to achieve five key outcomes in participants' lives: increase knowledge, improve decision-making skills, enhance communications skills, empower, and reduce risky behaviors. Working with mentor instructors, the student artists learn skills and are given the creative freedom to drive the works from the initial concept to the final displays. The In Control program participants include teens from diverse backgrounds within Rochester, NY. The program prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that all teens, regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or sexual orientation, can benefit from the resources and education provided.
This exhibition is generously funded by Nocon & Associates, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.
About In Control
A program of Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York (PPCWNY), In Control has been a beacon of opportunity and empowerment for the youth of Rochester for more than twenty-five years. In Control seamlessly integrates neighborhood outreach, health education, and diverse opportunities to help young people flourish through programs in photography, fashion, media, music, dance, and culinary arts. The program’s mission is to empower youth to make informed decisions about their sexual and personal health by providing free educational, career, and recreational programs designed to equip youth with the tools they need for a successful future.
PPCWNY is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable health care and education services. Emphasizing outreach, we offer comprehensive sex and reproductive health education to empower our community. Alongside our educational initiatives, we provide essential services such as birth control, cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, and safe, legal abortion services. With a strong commitment to advocacy and education, PPCWNY ensures access to vital health care for all individuals in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. myincontrol.org
About Gallery Obscura
The Gallery Obscura performs the same role as its namesake, the early photographic device the Camera Obscura, by bringing light into a darkened space. The gallery features exhibitions created or presented in collaboration with community institutions and school and youth programs; projects focused on Greater Rochester; and exhibitions that are thematically related to regional events or support other museum or community initiatives and programming. A primary goal of Gallery Obscura programming is to amplify the voices and support creative expression in our community.
Gallery Obscura Exhibition Proposal Submissions
Please submit exhibition proposals for the Gallery Obscura to [email protected]. Proposals should briefly describe the project and include 6-10 sample images or links to moving media content. Because of the structure of exhibition scheduling, the museum can not consider all proposals. In addition, single-artist and artist-organized exhibitions will not be considered in service to the gallery's mission.
About the George Eastman Museum
Founded in 1947, the George Eastman Museum is the world’s oldest photography museum and one of the largest film archives in the United States, located on the historic Rochester estate of entrepreneur and philanthropist George Eastman, the pioneer of popular photography. Its holdings comprise more than 400,000 photographs, 28,000 motion picture films, the world’s preeminent collection of photographic and cinematographic technology, one of the leading libraries of books related to photography and cinema, and extensive holdings of documents and other objects related to George Eastman. As a research and teaching institution, the Eastman Museum has an active publishing program and, its L. Jeffrey Selznick School of Film Preservation’s graduate program (a collaboration with the University of Rochester) makes critical contributions to film preservation. For more information, visit eastman.org.
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ATTN. Media: High-res images for Evoke can be downloaded here.
Media Contact:
Danielle Raymo
Communications Manager
(585) 327-4813
[email protected]