In November 2024, a photo exhibition was held at MEM (Centre des mémoires montréalaises), a museum located in downtown Montreal. The exhibition featured photographs taken by youth participating in the LOVE program.

Each photograph showcased was a remarkable work with a powerful message. The LOVE program’s main initiative, the “Media Arts Program,” nurtures emotional intelligence (EQ) through artistic activities while providing mental health support and promoting social adaptation for youth.

The program encompasses a wide range of activities, including creating drawings and poetry through discussions, as well as journaling. Among these activities, the one that receives the most focus and time is “photography.”

Through capturing images on various themes, the youth express their emotions and thoughts. For many youths, the LOVE program provides their first opportunity to handle a professional camera. With each workshop, their ability to express themselves and the quality of their photographs consistently impress the staff.

For this exhibition, the LOVE staff selected works that best represented the 2024 LOVE theme from photos taken by participating youths between October 2023 and May 2024.

The theme for LOVE in 2024 was “Identity.” 

The participating youth come from diverse backgrounds, each with their own unique perspective on “identity.” The works displayed in the exhibition reflect their individual stories, feelings, and voices.

On the day of the exhibition, not only general visitors but also many of the youth photographers themselves attended. Having their works showcased in a museum, where they could be seen by a broad audience, was an invaluable experience for these young artists.

Additionally, professional photographers and guest panelists were invited to the event to provide critiques of the displayed works. Four youth groups received awards, including a Guest Award and a Visitors’ Choice Award, determined through audience voting.

Through the LOVE program and exhibitions like this one, youth have the opportunity to deepen their self-awareness and gain confidence. Furthermore, by engaging with other participants’ works, they can learn about and appreciate the richness of diverse identities.

The LOVE theme for 2025 is “Humans of LOVE.” It will be exciting to see what incredible works the youth create under this new theme in the coming year.