BELFAST — With nearly 80 percent of American kids owning smart phones these days, you’d think that taking a photo of oneself as an art experiment would be as mundane as flipping through TV channels. But, recently a group of sixth and seventh graders in Bridge, Waterfall Art’s free after-school art program, were serious about the self-portraits they took. The portraits now hang at in the Corridor gallery of Waterfall Arts.

Bridge is a club where young artists explore materials and support each others’ self expression, while getting connected to the local art scene. It started three years ago as a way to bridge the gap for Troy Howard students, who go without art class during sixth grade. 

As you enter the "Bridge: Young Artists Connecting" art show, the self-portrait photos lined across the wall are moody and pensive, with only one kid’s exuberant  expression standing out from the rest. Bridget Matros, BRIDGE’s art coordinator, set up the camera and snapped the photos.

“To have a still portrait taken can be really uncomfortable,” she said. “In some cases, I would just look away while I set up the shot.”

You have to wonder what’s behind those expressions.

“These kids are really tight, very close and very outgoing,” said Matros. “After we looked at a series of black and white photos together, I told them this was an opportunity for them to express a side of themselves that people don’t normally see. Each chose his or her own pose, expression, gaze and lighting. Afterwards, I was surprised to see these moody dark, brooding expressions. They really did go for expressing themselves rather than the glamour shots. If we had done this assignment in school, it wouldn’t have been as real and comfortable. You would have seen way more goofball poses. But these kids have built up trust and respect to 'be who they really are' here, without judgment."

Matros worked with 11 kids during this past school year. The Bridge group was initially only supposed to be for sixth graders, but the inaugural group didn’t want to leave, so with some additional funding, the "Original Posse" are enjoying their second year. In the summer, every Wednesday, they and other young artists are encouraged to drop in from 3 to 5 p.m. for the day’s featured activity or to simply relax and experiment using a variety of materials.

With the help of a private sponsor, they work on a variety of ways to get the kids to Bridge club by bus, car and even by taxi.

“This is a big deal for working families,” she said. That’s why a lot of kids can’t do anything after school, because they wouldn’t have a ride home. So, we took care of that.”

Waterfall Arts is seeking sponsorship and donations to keep this much-appreciated program going for another year. 

To see more of what BRIDGE kids do with art visit: facebook.com/WATERFALLBRIDGE The photographs in the Corridor Gallery will be up until July 17.

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com