Youth Self-Expression Blooms in PhotoVoice

By Bonnie Doucette Thornborough

Tri-Town Council’s 2026 PhotoVoice posters express youthful wisdom from the minds and hearts of middle schoolers about what it takes to live healthy, meaningful lives. The four members—two seventh graders and two eighth graders—created a total of nine posters that touch on themes including empathy, friendship, patience, work ethic, beauty, self-expression, self-care, and emotional control. Their voices blend deep commentary with a lighthearted spirit.

THE JOURNEY

An important aspect of TTC’s PhotoVoice process is that it is primarily youth-directed. I was honored to serve as the program adult, gently guiding members as they decided how to creatively spend the free time during our Wednesday afternoon meetings. Members often explored Topsfield with their cameras and curiosity. They noticed nature, met dogs, and stopped in to learn about local businesses, community services, and even Town Hall—all the way up to the clock tower. Some days, they transformed the TTC program space into a creative play zone where they made up games, discussed ideas, ate snacks, and experimented with all kinds of materials, from cameras and AV equipment to arts and crafts supplies and random objects found in TTC storage.

The purpose of this open creative process is to support youth and encourage them to freely be themselves, learn in their own ways, explore different forms of creative expression, and feel safe enough to share something meaningful to them. It is a messy, meandering, deeply human process that creates opportunities to interact creatively and practice listening to and caring about what others have to share.

Throughout their creative journey, one theme kept resurfacing: stories—the stories behind what we initially see, the stories that emerge as we wonder, ask questions, and create, and the stories that connect us when we open up, share ourselves, and truly pay attention to others.

The members shared stories from their days, their pasts, their homes, and their pets. There were unspoken stories that existed quietly among us, and there were the stories we created simply by being together. Everything they created had a story behind it.

THE STORIES

Each final PhotoVoice artwork has a story behind it, too. With this theme in mind, we have provided viewers with the stories, context, and some insights about each of the nine posters.

In this very personal artwork, Allissa chose to use a photo from her past. In it, her younger self walks with her father to school. She writes, “Just because something is beautiful doesn’t mean there isn’t a story behind it.” The personal story not immediately visible in the photo is that Allissa’s father passed away last year, in 2025. They were very close, in part because he was a single father raising Allissa after her mother passed away six years earlier.

Allissa is still processing these losses, and through her artwork she uses her voice to remind viewers that we never truly know what someone else is carrying. It is easy to make assumptions based on appearances, but there is always so much more beneath the surface. As we look at the world, may we recognize opportunities to help someone feel seen and heard by remaining open, patient, observant, and willing to listen to their story.

In this art piece, Brycen shares his photo of a gentle, busy bumblebee collecting pollen from flowers, paired with the words, “Live life. Work hard.” Brycen has a genuine love of photography, both as an art form and as a practice of observation. In this photo, he uses a beautiful depth of field and clarity to support his message about being present and focused on the task at hand. He reminds viewers that when we pause and pay attention—as he does through photography—we often notice simple but meaningful wisdom in the natural world around us. Brycen uses his photography and creative voice to encourage viewers to free themselves from distractions and focus on a sense of purpose in order to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

In this art piece, Mason uses two photos of his chickens to express an important message about friendship. He writes, “Friends look out for each other. No matter what.” The overall tone is both playful and sincere. There is a meaningful shift between the top photo of two chickens and the lower image, in which the closer chicken turns to look directly into the viewer’s eyes. The intensity of that gaze conveys a sense of complete dedication to protecting and caring for a friend. 

As young people grow up, social connections and friendships become increasingly important. They begin to develop greater social responsibility and recognize which qualities matter most to them in relationships. Through dynamic photos and creative expression, Mason lightheartedly conveys the loyalty, care, and trustworthiness he values in friendship. In doing so, he also prompts viewers to consider whether someone in their own lives may need support.

In this art piece, Grusha expresses a thoughtful message about time by combining her colorful hand-painted scene of a counter filled with vegetables, fruits, and pickling supplies with a rural background and the words, “To make something great happen you usually need to wait some time.” Her creative expression reminds viewers of a truth found not only in gardening, growing, cooking, and pickling, but in many other aspects of life as well. It can be difficult to wait for something to reach its finished state and to trust the process. But Grusha’s love of cooking and pickling, combined with her interest in painting and creative expression, conveys an important message: sometimes the secret ingredient to greatness is simply time.

In this art piece, Allissa shares a photo she took of the rising sun peeking through trees, casting shadows and warm light across the snow. She writes, “Life is beautiful. Enjoy it when you can.” Her expression is layered. Personally, she finds peace and comfort in being present with nature’s beauty. At the same time, the loss of both her parents is a reminder that none of us knows how long we have to enjoy life’s beautiful moments, or what challenges we may face in our lifetime. Through her artwork, Allissa reminds us that making time to notice and appreciate beauty helps make the life we have more meaningful and enjoyable.

In this art piece, Brycen shares a close-up photo of flowers along with the words, “Express yourself. Be colorful.” His love of photography and gift for noticing nature’s intricate details offer a healthy reminder for everyone: each of us matters and has something valuable to contribute to the world. Brycen encourages viewers to embrace and express their most vibrant selves.

In this art piece, Mason uses a photo of three chickens—one of them asleep—to convey the importance of self-care. He writes, “Sometimes you just need a nap. So take a nap!” His direct encouragement reminds us that it is okay to recognize our own needs and take action to support our health and well-being. Sometimes life’s best lessons come from observing animals and nature. Mason loves his chickens and their stories. May we all notice the qualities that resonate with truth and hear the messages we need most.

In this art piece, Allissa uses insightful humor with a photo she took of an unidentified object flying in the sky. She writes, “SPACE ALIENS ARE GOING TO TAKE OVER!!!” to playfully represent an exaggerated reaction to the sighting. She then adds, “We all need to stay calm and don’t forget to breathe.” In doing so, Allissa comments on the extreme fearful reactions people sometimes have, and reminds viewers that a healthier response is often to pause, breathe, and remain calm. Choosing calm when we are not actually in danger could certainly reduce a great deal of unnecessary stress and conflict in our lives. And being able to laugh lightheartedly at ourselves could help, too.

In this art piece, Brycen chose the single word “Symmetry” to pair with his symmetrical photograph of Topsfield Town Hall. Visual symmetry can have a deeply satisfying and calming effect on viewers, and capturing it successfully can be incredibly challenging. Brycen appreciates this calming effect in the building’s design, and his skillful photography conveys a sense of order and balance beneath a peaceful blue sky. Interestingly, the context of a government building centered with an American flag also adds layers of meaning. Viewers may reflect on their own thoughts about balance, equality, and justice within systems of leadership and power—or they may simply enjoy the pleasing aesthetic experience.

GRATITUDE AND NEXT STEPS

I am proud of this year’s PhotoVoice members and am grateful for the time we’ve spent together and the opportunity to bear witness to their creative journey.

The PhotoVoice program is part of Tri-Town Council’s mission to empower youth voice and provide experiences that help them develop, thrive, and make healthy decisions. We extend our deepest thanks to the Boxford Cultural Council for awarding a grant to support some of our expenses.

This year’s artwork is being displayed at Pathway’s Youth At Risk (YAR) conference at Endicott College in May, and will then be on display throughout the Tri-Town over the coming months.

PhotoVoice 2026 members from left to right: Grusha, Brycen, Allissa, Mason

If you have questions about any of the work, the PhotoVoice program, or ideas of your own, please feel free to contact Bonnie at bonnie@artfortime.com.