Mentoring Can Be
Contagious
Franklin
McCrary III, 16, has participated in two summer programs at the Walker
Art Center, which featured professional photographers. During the summer
1994 program, Franklin caught the eye of Seeds photographer Kate Maxwell
Williams. She mentored Franklin and 14 other teens as part of a youth
program in connection with the Carrie Mae Weems exhibition at the Walker.
Since then, Kate says Franklin's work has continued to develop. His
mom pushes him to shoot a roll of film a week.
"I
give mentors all their due respect," says Franklin, "but I need to know
for myself what their true colors are." And now Franklin's brother,
seven-year-old Winston, is asking his brother to teach him about photography.
Kate's mentoring continues as she advises the brothers on the photos
they shot for this issue of Seeds "Mentoring makes me feel happy and
accomplished," reports Kate. "It's fun to share something I love with
an eager learner. Now that's what Franklin gets to experience with his
brother."
