Beloved Community: Through the Eyes of Children

Beloved Community Photo Exhibit at Salt Lake Community College

Hedgehogs and Basketballs

In the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Gallery at Salt Lake Community College South Campus, you will find an exhibit that, at first glance, may seem to be a collection of unrelated pictures. However, these photos, which include hedgehogs, basketballs, and mountains, all relate to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s idea of a Beloved Community. The Beloved Community Project has elementary and middle school kids explore what Dr. King's vision means to them through photography. Each photo represents a unique perspective on unity, cooperation, and connection, the core elements of Dr. King's vision.

People looking at displayed photos in art gallery

Seeing Beloved Community Through the Eyes of Children

Behind the Lens

Photography, a powerful tool for self-expression and exploration, is the medium through which students capture their unique perspectives and share their vision of the Beloved Community. Ed Rosenberger, a faculty member involved in the project, explains, "Being behind the camera allows you to work through things and express yourself in unexpected ways."

SLCC President Peterson looks at photos in the Beloved Community exhibit

President Peterson enjoying the Beloved Community photo exhibit.

Making the Connection

The Beloved Community Project provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with Dr. King's ideas and apply them to their lives. Students actively participate in in-class discussions and presentations, exploring the concept of community and its meaning to them. They then use photography to express their own "beloved" connections and community. Their active involvement is key to the success of the project.

Anna Cole, a teacher from Glendale Middle School, sees great value in the project. She notes that "having their artwork displayed professionally gives the students a greater sense of importance to their work."

For Lou, a student at Whittier Elementary, those connections are all about his family. His sense of community is the apartment complex where he lives. His photo captures a red-brick apartment building, with Lou's sister ascending the stairs on one side and his cousin descending on the other. In the foreground is the top of an open gate, welcoming the viewer into Lou’s world.

Lou (boy around 11 years old) stands in front of his picture hanging in the Eccles Art Gallery at Salt Lake Community College

Lou talks about his Beloved Community art project.

Teaching Love

Marriane Howe-Taylor, Special Projects Manager for the School of Arts, Communication, and Media at Salt Lake Community College, has been instrumental in the development and success of the Beloved Community Project. Her family's personal connection to Dr. King and his vision gives the project a deep sense of meaning. Howe-Taylor emphasizes the transformative power of education, quoting Coretta Scott King, "If we can teach hate, surely, we can teach love." This sentiment is demonstrated every year by Howe-Taylor, who goes into the elementary and middle schools to teach children about the concept of Beloved Community.

"If we can teach hate, surely, we can teach love."
Coretta Scott King

Be Loved and Be Empowered

The project is a testament to the power of education and art to inspire, transform and profoundly impact the students involved. It empowers them to express their voices, share their perspectives, and contribute to the dialogue about building a more loving society. Having students explore Dr. King's vision through photography helps create a more compassionate future for all. Josh Elstein, Director of the Center for Arts and Media, sums it up, "The kids are here to tell us what they want to say about the community.” This sense of empowerment is inspiring and a key aspect of the Beloved Community Project.

Visit the Beloved Community Project exhibition at the SLCC Eccles Art Gallery and witness the power of children's perspectives in capturing the essence of Dr. King's dream. The exhibition will be on display through March 28, 2025.

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