Photography the focus of Yvan LeBel program at Group Group Youth

Yvan LeBel (far left rear) with some of his GGY charges and GGY Director Lynne Teneyche (third from right)
C. Davis photo

Pincher Creeek's Group Group Youth (GGY) has teamed up with photographer Yvan LeBel to offer a photography course to local youth.  12 have signed up for the course, which began last Saturday and will run for the next two Saturdays as well.


LeBel has been in the area for the last three months working on several exciting photography related projects.

"Today I am doing a little workshop which I have been doing for the past 3 years," explained LeBel.  "I am doing photography and a portfolio on Waterton. By doing such I have been living between Pincher Creek and Waterton in the summer.  So for me, it was a 3 year plan to build a portfolio and then present it to the people.  I am here to for the month to write 2 articles for two magazines and a proposal for a book.  One of the magazines is the Canadian Geographic and there is another magazine called Geo which is from Europe."

"So it's getting back into the business because when I got married, I had two boys and I couldn't travel anymore.  Presently we live just south of Saskatoon in Beaver Creek.  So we raised 2 boys and now one is 20 and the other is 18 and they don't want me.  I stayed at home and did a lot of graphic design and website work, and even escaped.  Now that the kids are independent I would like to go back to the passion I have with photography."

"That is what I am doing here is to share it.  I show the kids a few pictures and explain to them what's behind the thought.  For me, it's the picture more than the technique.  Sometimes it's lines or a position where you put things because a picture says a thousand words.  I am going to make you talk so that you can write something and with the writing someone will be able to make a picture.  I think it's writing with lights because photo is a Greek word which means light and graphic means writing; so you write with light.  Whatever you see on it, you have to have all the ingredients."
Woman:


GGY Director Lynne Teneyche has had a busy time since the organization moved into their present location over 4 years ago.  In addition to the ongoing programs for youth there have been constant renovations to the building, which used to be a Greyhound station.

There has been renovations and we have lots of plans of things to do yet and money is going to run out fairly soon; so we will be looking for more funding," she explained.  "We have a casino coming up soon and that will help with a few things, hopefully.  We are looking for volunteers for that but I think it's actually too late because they have to have already been signed on."

LeBel was instrumental in starting the drop-in centre.  "It has almost been going on 30 years or so.  It was at the Lebel mansion the first time. It's the same pretty much today.  We give the kids a place and frankly, what Lynne has done to created and to maintain it is another story; that credit goes to her and the people around here as well.  Once it exists, it still has to live and breath."

"I was involved in 1987 when it was officially a registered society," clarified Teneyke.  "It was well started before I got involved.  We are not a part of Lethbridge (youth outreach efforts) but at times it would be nice to be.  We have considered it because it has been a little lonely being the only Group Group Youth in the world."

Related links:
Yvan LeBel
Group Group Youth