URBAN ENVIRONMENTALISM: EXPLORING BALTIMORE’S GREEN SCENE
Ages 16-29
Summer 2020, Online
In this distance learning videography workshop, student fellows will explore urban environmentalism in Baltimore, meeting virtually with activists, urban farmers, naturalists, and lawmakers, and gaining perspectives on a landscape that extends from the Chesapeake Bay to the woods of Leakin Park, the third largest urban wilderness in the country. Through research and interviews, they’ll learn about the transformative impact of urban gardening and the risks of living near industrial brownfields, creating short videos through which to share their discoveries. And they’ll be getting their own hands dirty, growing herbs on window sills, and starting small container gardens, recording the progress or disaster that follows (not everyone has a green thumb!). They’ll also experiment with repurposing video interviews to create a podcast. Fellows will connect with the instructor and the group via Zoom, text, and email. Fellows should expect to spend at least four hours per week on this workshop. Collaborative and individual projects will be shared at a virtual program exhibition and on the program website. Limited to 8 student fellows.
Charles Cohen's recent documentary films include Riding Wild, which follows a group of BMXers into Baltimore's urban wilderness, and The Crooked Tune, an Old Time Fiddler in a Modern World. He holds an MFA in Film and Digital Media from American University and has written for The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post, and Baltimore City Paper.
Essence Smith is the Community Schools Coordinator at Green Street Academy. She has a passion for empowering today’s youth through education and leadership development. Essence believes you should be the change you want to see.
Darian Jones recently received his associate's degree in Digital Media Production at the Community College of Baltimore County. He is interested in documenting unique and authentic stories, and he hopes to give back by teaching others.
