Featuring the photography and video work of 20 teenage artists, UpSouth is a unique multimedia exhibit documenting the similarities and differences in the landscape, culture, and people of Central Brooklyn and rural Marvell, Arkansas.

Though very different on the surface, these two locations are linked by migration patterns of the African- and Caribbean-American Diaspora, which has vast roots in the Mid-South Delta. In addition to original photo essays, the youth also produced two short documentaries. The Central Brooklyn team explores the influence of art on community in Brooklyn, while the Marvell participants document the daily challenges faced by their rural community.

UpSouth is curated by Brooklyn-based Red Clay Arts, whose One Shot program teaches digital photography and video editing skills to two groups of teenagers, one in Central Brooklyn and another in a separate locale. In addition to Red Clay, the One Shot partnership consists of historic community development corporations, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation in Brooklyn and Boys Girls Adults Community Development Center in Marvell, Arkansas.

Members of the media will have an opportunity to meet with some UpSouth artists and program staff from 9-10am on November 18, and/or can contact Carolyn Marr at Restoration for a private showing from 10am-5pm. The work of the Arkansas youth has already premiered at the Clinton Presidential Library in Little Rock, where former President Bill Clinton was treated to a private viewing. The exhibit at Skylight Gallery will run until January 14.

Online galleries of the students’ work can be viewed at http://www.redclayarts.com/oneshot/index.html.