DDFR Visits Skidmore College & Albany

Daesha Devón Harris, Artist from Saratoga Springs

Our visit to Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York was a wonderful experience, full of poignant stories and cherished family photos. Not only were we able to explore new narratives, we also experienced how students and faculty alike are able to incorporate their celebration of their family histories into their definitions of everyday life. The John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative (MDOCs) at Skidmore hosted the Digital Diaspora Family Roadshow (DDFR) production team and began the engagement with a Through A Lens Darkly screening and post-film discussion with director Thomas Allen Harris.

We spent the following day in Albany, where we were able to work with Youth FX, an organization that promotes youth involvement with film and photography in the South Albany area. Afterwards, we continued our photo sharing sessions on the Skidmore Campus, meeting various students and locals who wanted to share their stories and photos. Below are some photos and accompanying videos of the family histories that we encountered at Skidmore College.

Mary Ann Fitzgerald, Historian based in Saratoga Springs

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Dorothea Truffleman shares her photos through which she speaks of the complex emotions and thoughts behind a simple vacation photo.

Dorothea Truffleman

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Father and daughter duo, Bhawin and Maya Suchak join DDFR at the Grand Street Community Arts Center in Albany sharing their family photos, recounting some interesting stories including the story of Maya’s birth.

Bhawin and Maya Suchak

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Local mixed media artist and photographer, Daesha Devón Harris shares her photos and speaks of a family tradition handed down through generations.

Images from Daesha Devón Harris’ family photo albums.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B10twT7EBtI

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Skidmore student Brittany Kent shares photos of her family, as well as sharing her latest discovery of her diverse family lineage.

Brittany Kent

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Later that evening, we hosted a Digital Diaspora Grand Finale where we were able to highlight some of the stories that we encountered, and welcome other members of the community to share their own.

Skidmore College students discussing DDFR

Daesha Devon Harris sharing at our DDFR Roadshow Finale

From Left to Right: Rudean Leinaeng, Greg Warren Jr., Don Perry, Jordana Dym, Yvonne Welbon, Thomas Allen Harris

Special Thanks To:

DDFR