Centenary in Paris Featured at the Norton
The students that were a part of Centenary in Paris 2023 were able to share their trip with others through a photography exhibition featured at the R.W Norton Art Gallery. The exhibit, which is currently being displayed and will be up until September 4, showcases various photos taken by the students. These photos allow viewers to explore Paris through the eyes of a first-year college student. Spanning a hallway and two gallery spaces, the photos differ in size and subject matter. Viewers are met with images of Parisian life and city scape, well-known art pieces, and moments shared between friends and classmates. These captured memories allow the students and professors a chance to fondly think back to their trip.
“It was really difficult trying to choose just one photo,” Lauren C., freshman, shared. “When I had to actually go through and narrow my hundreds of photos to just one, I was like ‘how the heck…’ It took a while but I’m really happy with the one I submitted. I think it captures and shows what Paris meant to me.”
During the opening of the exhibition, there were many fond smiles from those in attendance. Students recounted the stories behind photos and proudly showed them to friends and family; the gallery rooms were abuzz with various, excited storytelling. The family members of the first years listened as they were told about the fun the students had experienced.
“I have never been outside of the U.S. but hearing him [the student] talk about his trip make me feel as if I had been there myself,” a parent of a first year expressed. “He makes sure that we know every little detail about all the fun things he did, which is fantastic since it shows that he really enjoyed his time over there. And seeing not just him, but all of his friends and classmates be the same way, you can’t help but be excited along with them.”
Seeing how thrilled the students were to have not only experienced Paris, but also to have been a part of this exhibition was fantastic. The photos displayed showed that they took this opportunity seriously; they wanted to share the fun they had with others. Then, they were able to vocalize that fun with those around them. The exhibition was a great opportunity for this class, and it was easy to see how much they enjoyed doing it. This exhibit was a unique way to start ones first year of college (more so than being able to travel and learn in Paris). This will be extended further when these photos are compiled to make a feature book, which will be put together and printed by Dr. Dana Kress, a recently retired Centenary professor. So, when the exhibition eventually gets taken down, the first years will be able to still have something to look back on. All in all, traveling to Paris, having your photos displayed in an art museum, and eventually printed in a book is quite a way to begin your first year at Centenary College.
