Please don't forget to get your permission slip signed tonight and bring it with you to class on Tuesday. Make a reminder in your phone or whatever you need to do. You should also bring some money for lunch (lots of great places to try including Maria's, Nonna's, Pickleman's, Jimmy Johns, BYOP, Druff's, Civil, plus others) and if you'd like to get a treat at either Hurts Donut, The Coffee Ethic, or Kingdom Coffee, all of which are near the gallery we will visit.
So that you may be better informed going into our visit to photographer Randy Bacon's gallery, please visit his website and especially take a look at his projects 7 Billion Ones and The Road We Call Home. Think about some questions you could ask Mr. Bacon about his craft, the people he's met, the stories he's told through photos, what he might be up to next.
Edited after returning from the field trip:
I hope you all found our visit to Randy's gallery both inspiring and meaningful. If you'd like to go back to the gallery on your own sometime for a closer look, visiting hours are 1-5 Tuesday-Saturday, later on the First Friday of each month. Some of you might be compelled to action by the stories Randy shared. He suggested reaching out to Gathering Friends for the Homeless and following the group on Facebook.
I specifically noticed this post and thought this might be a way for us to help as a class...What if we tried to gather some of these things in the next couple of weeks?
hello friends!
we have a lot of folks asking what our needs are or how they can help and we are at that pivotal change of seasons moment where we have a lot of things left from last year and not enough of some things. we also realize that some of you want to gather, some of you want to purchase and some of you like to cook. don't worry, we've got needs for all y'all!! 
<3
<3
GATHERING/ CLOSET RAIDING:
- men's coats
-men's jackets
-men's jeans waist size 29-34.
-men's flannel shirts
-women's coats (please no fancy ones!)
-women's long sleeve shirts
-large back packs (huge this time of year as the clothes friends wear take up more space).
- men's coats
-men's jackets
-men's jeans waist size 29-34.
-men's flannel shirts
-women's coats (please no fancy ones!)
-women's long sleeve shirts
-large back packs (huge this time of year as the clothes friends wear take up more space).
-sleeping bags. when the cold weather snaps, this is the first request for most of our campers. blankets and light weight bags don't cut it in 40 degree temps and less.
-thermal long underwear (mostly bottoms). these are $6.93 at walmart and a HUGE request by the time late november rolls around . huge huge huge. we try to get anyone living outdoors a set of bottoms and tops. right now we have a good amount of tops because i bought every single one at 3 walmarts on clearance in the late spring 
:)
:)
-thick socks. always
PURCHASING
-$5 mc donalds or subway gift cards
-mens and womens socks
-large back packs (because we really need them)
-AAA batteries
-9x13 ish tarps
-$20 gas cards to Kum and Go or Conoco
-bus passes in any form!!
-Walmart gift cards
Please leave a comment on this post today answering ALL of the following:
1: something specific Randy said that stuck with you
2: one of the photos/stories that stood out to you
3: if you would be interested in doing something to help/what you'd be willing to do/bring
1. A thing that Randy said that stuck with me was that fact that everyone has a story.
ReplyDelete2.One of the photos that stood out to me was the one with the lady and the picture of her kids in the picture frame.
3. If our class did something to help I could bring like a new pair of socks or canned good that we could give the homeless.
1. One thing that has stuck with me that Randy said is that most people come to him. I find that interesting because my first thought was what makes him different from any other person walking down the street? And then I thought of his project, 7 million ones. And I just found it interesting that people have this feeling to approach him.
ReplyDelete2. Melissa. Her reason for homelessness was trusting someone. She said she moved to Missouri with a friend and that friend gave her a place to stay and then one night kicked her out. I think people who are homeless have a lack of trust because they're always worried about other people crossing them, like Melissa's friend did her.
3. I would be willing to ignore my initial judgement of the people I see on the street and take time to talk to them. I learned that most homeless people are just lonely and looking for someone to talk to
1. Randy talked about how everyone has a story and everyone matters. It stood out to me because I think about this all the time, there is no possible way for us to know everyone's story but that doesn't mean that it doesn't matter. We all experience a lot in our lifetimes and it creates our own unique story, and our own unique story should matter even if the world doesn't know what it is yet.
ReplyDelete2. There was this guy who talks about how all he ever wanted was a family and a place to call home. He has wanted this forever, a wife and kids to come home to. To ask them how there day was. something as simple as that was all he wanted. He talks about how in this world, hope is all you have. You can't give it up.
3. I'd do what I could to help
Something that specifically that stood out to me that Randy said was when he was talking of the rich girl who drove an expensive car. He said when he saw her drive up to get her story he had immediately thought she was going to be a snob, but it turns out she said all she wants is the love of her parents. Her dad was never home and she never really connected with either of her parents. I'm guilty of judging the rich kids that go to my school, so I'll think more about that next time before I judge. The story that stood out the most to me was the one of the woman whose mother was brutally murdered by her father. I would like to help, I could probably bring women's' long sleeved sweaters and thin socks.
ReplyDelete1.) Something that Randy said that really stuck out to me was when he said that sometimes in life you have to follow and listen to your heart instead of your mind. If you always listen to your mind then you will make the most logical decision, but not always the one that will make you the happiest.
ReplyDelete2.) One of the stories that really stood out to me was the one about a man, I can't remember his name, but all the man was talking about were his dreams for the future. How he hopes to one day come home to his own house, to his wife, to his kids. He wants all the same stuff we want that we take for granted everyday, and to him that is all he wants out of life.
3.) I would be willing to bring in clothing items or canned good items to help out, whatever I can do to help!
1. One thing that suck out to me that Randy said was sometimes your brain is not always right and to follow your heart. His story about being in the protest in Egypt was really interesting and I would love to do something like that one day.
ReplyDelete2.One story that I read about that really suck out to me was the story about the student that moved back in with his adoptive mother. She could not take care of him and he could not take care of her.
3. I would love to do something to help.He talked about being on the board and coming up to him to ask about helping out. I would loved to get in involved what he is doing.
1.) When Randy told me about Caveman, that really stuck with me. Just where he started, homeless, on the streets with nothing. To currently moving into a new home, not knowing how to lock the door, use the stove, wash his clothes, etc. It is just so different.
ReplyDelete2.) One of the stories that really stood out to me was the girl who had sever depression and cut herself. She had many failed attempts at suicide. The scars on her arms she said represented her struggle, and everything she had been through. But at the end of the story, she said she was finally getting to turning her life around.
3.) I would love to sign up for his 7 billion ones group. If I can't make the homeless not homeless anymore, at least I can volunteer in some way, and try and help in any way I can. Also be less judgmental and uncomfortable around them, help them because I hope someone would do that for me.
1. Randy shared many things yesterday, but one thing that stuck with me is the story he told of the girl who struggled with severe depression and an eating disorder. The story of the girl itself is heartbreaking and extremely tragic, but that's not what caught my attention. The fact that the girl came back and told Randy that the photoshoot she had done had helped more than any doctor and therapist she had ever been to.
ReplyDelete2. One portrait that stood out to me was the one of the lady with cancer. She talked about how our outside appearances and possessions are what we consider our worth, and that her getting cancer stripped her of what she was. Until she realized that she wasn't being stripped away.
3. I would definitely help with supplies if we were to do some project to help the homeless.
I unfortunately did not attend the field trip. However, I have seen Randy´s work before online or in other forms. I genuinely enjoy the picture on his website of Wayne ¨That Guy¨ from his story, ¨The Road I Call Home.¨ I enjoyed the picture as if just the picture itself told the story. Secondly, I am always down to help people in one way or another. I would bring cash or even simple foods to help the cause.
ReplyDelete1. Something Randy said that stuck with me is "Don't judge a person based on what they look like, especially when you don't know them."
ReplyDelete2. One of the photos that stuck with me was the one smiling with a pipe in his mouth. His eyes seemed to hold endless smiles, and he seemed so happy when he wasn't in a good place in his life. I was drawn to that picture.
3. If I could help out I would buy some items for the homeless. I know one thing I'm going to do to help out is spread the word of what Randy does and how everyone should go visit his gallery and see not everybody in this world has a great life.
At one moment Randy was talking about a woman that came in and asked for a photo shoot and as they were shooting she shared her life story and the things she has gone through throughout her life. After this experience she came back and told him that she had gone through years and years of talking to a therapist and priests and family members and nothing seemed to help her get over what had happened to her but after she experienced the shoot with Randy she felt as if she had been cured because all she wanted was someone to care and to understand the way she was feeling. I think that having an experience like that which truly changed the way she saw herself and her life is so powerful.
ReplyDeleteThe story of caveman was the main one that i remembered from the whole experience and it teaches in the rawest form not to judge a book by its cover. And i think its amazing that for the first time in 40 years plus some caveman is finally moving into a home and getting his life together.
I would help bring in supplies for the project to help the homeless.
1. Yesterday, Randy talked about following your heart. This really spoke to me because I don't listen to mine often. I'm usually pretty logical in my thinking, so I don't give what I feel any attention. In the future I hope to follow my heart more. Especially as I am deciding where I would like to attend college and try to choose a career path.
ReplyDelete2. The photo of Jamie in the exhibit really stood out to me. In her portrait, she is expressing her joy by laughing and smiling. I loved this photo because it tells so much about her personality despite what society might view her as. She has a story that is just as important as anyone else's. I was so touched by her, and the story of how she came to Springfield. It was terrible what happened to her, yet here she is smiling at me. I admire her bravery and strength. I connected with her without ever meeting her.
3. I would be willing to bring in any of the needs listed above to help out our homeless community here in Springfield.
1.Something that Randy said that stuck with me is when he was talking about how he took a risk going full time with his photography. I am also a creative and artistic person so I related to him when he was talking about how he had a good paying job but it just wasn't something he was passionate about.
ReplyDelete2. A picture that I remember or that stuck out to me is a picture of a woman with her head down almost in despair. Her story told of a lot of hardship of drugs and lots of abuse. I was sad to hear how she had once had a home, husband, and children but lost it all to a bad lifestyle. It was eyeopening to hear that she had once had a home and belongings but she had not had it easy like most.
3. A way in which I would be interested in getting involved with this project is by sharing his stories with people I know. Raising awareness could help change so many stigmas and inspire other people reach out.
One of Randy's pictures that stood out to me was part of his 7 billion ones project. The picture and story was titled Nicolle and Baby Q "Thankful Today, now, the Second". I found this specific story to be extremely eye opening, but meaningful. I would also be willing to help out in any way that I could do such as bringing gift cards, clothing, batteries, food, or money. After looking at Randy Bacon's work, he has definitely opened my eyes and made me more aware of the problems we have in Springfield and how I can help others.
ReplyDelete1.) The story Randy had about "the Caveman" or Donnis was really interesting. Donnis had a really good attitude about life, and I thought it was really inspiring. I couldn't imagine not having a home since I was twelve, but keeping such a positive outlook on life was what really what stuck out to me about his story.
ReplyDelete2.) One of the stories that stuck out to me in the gallery was the one of the girl that was diagnosed with cancer as a young adult. It was interesting to see it from her point of view, and her story was really raw and had force behind those words.
3.)I'd be interested in bringing something in. I can see about getting some tarps and some AAA batteries for this.
1. Randy was such an inspirational speaker, you can tell he is so passionate about what he does! One thing that really stood out to me is that we don't know their stories, we really shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
ReplyDelete2. There was a story of a guy who had to bury his daughter and it honestly made me tear up because he will always be impacted by the death of his daughter.
3. We should make goody bags and hand them out to the homeless. It would be fun.
1) One specific thing that really stuck out to me when Randy was talking is to not judge people immediately. I often struggle with this and sometimes don't realize that I am even doing it. I really need to work on not judging someone immediately and at least reading the first page of their story as Randy said.
ReplyDelete2) Holly was the story that really left an impact on me. Not only had she witnessed her father murder her mother and she grew from it, but she has such a positive outlook on life and the world. I admire her for her strength and bravery.
3) I would love to be apart of his billionaires club and help first hand with the people that he is making an impact on. I want to be able to listen to their stories, and help them in any way that I can.
1) One thing he said that stuck with me was when he said follow your heart not your brain
ReplyDelete2) one story that stood out to me was they story about a man that became homeless because he was too bust trying to help everyone else and not himself
3) Id be willing to bring in some hygiene stuff but i would also love to sit and just have a conversation with these people cause i would love to see the way they think about certain things and certain situations
1) One thing he said that stuck with me was when he said follow your heart not your brain
ReplyDelete2) one story that stood out to me was they story about a man that became homeless because he was too bust trying to help everyone else and not himself
3) Id be willing to bring in some hygiene stuff but i would also love to sit and just have a conversation with these people cause i would love to see the way they think about certain things and certain situations
1) One thing he said that stuck with me was when he said follow your heart not your brain
ReplyDelete2) one story that stood out to me was they story about a man that became homeless because he was too bust trying to help everyone else and not himself
3) Id be willing to bring in some hygiene stuff but i would also love to sit and just have a conversation with these people cause i would love to see the way they think about certain things and certain situations
1.) Something Randy said that stuck with me was that we need to stop judging people before we know their stories, even if it´s hard... You hear that all the time but it really is important.
ReplyDelete2.)One story that stuck with me was his story about when he went to Egypt and he was put into the angry mob, but continued to take pictures and film. He said that was were he realized he had the idea that he needed to do something big.
3.)I would be willing to bring in anything, no matter what we choose to do... after visiting the gallery I really want to help out anyway I can.
1. Something Randy said that stuck out to me was that everyone is special and everyone has a story. I'm fascinated with the idea that everyone has unique experiences during their lives. I love finding the beauty in every person and situation, so listening to him talk and looking at the pictures he captured was really enjoyable for me.
ReplyDelete2. The story he told a smaller group towards the end really stuck out to me. He talked about his friend that people on the street call caveman. He talked about how he lived on the street since he was 12, and just recently he was able to buy his first house. I think he is a symbol of hope.
3.I would like to bring in some of my clothes and coats that I don't wear anymore to donate to women who need them. I would also love to look into the billionaires club and be able to help the homeless population in Springfield in any way that I can.
1. Randy said a lot of very inspirational things that left me thinking, I was never not interested in what he was saying. One thing in particular that stuck with me was him continuously telling us to listen to our hearts and not our brains. It is something everyone should live by and it's awesome he does.
ReplyDelete2. There were a ton of great stories told by Randy and written around studio. One that really got to me was the girl talking about her father murdering her mother when she was little. I just kept thinking how unfair it was for her to have to go through that, especially at such a young age. It really put a lot of things into perspective.
3. I would personally love to help out in any way I would be able to! I think I could bring batteries if they are needed.