Eileen Ryan
& Jones College Prep
Eileen Ryan & Jones College Prep

 

 

Project Overview

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  • Artist — Eileen Ryan

  • School — William Jones College Prep High School

  • Neighborhood — South Loop

My project is called “Out of the Shadows” and I worked with mostly first generation students at Jones College Prep who are immigrants, children of immigrants or allies of immigrants.

I created this project because I wanted to celebrate the diversity,  the inspiration and contributions immigrants give to our nation.  I sought to create a safe space where students could choose how to be represented by the camera, seeking an interactive relationship between being seen and seeing.  The stories these students shared with me told a story of resilience and inspiration.  In one of the country’s most diverse public school systems, these young people give hope to the future of our world.

Meet the Artist

Eileen Ryan

Eileen Ryan, artists,

Portrait by Abbi Chase

Photography is my entry to so many worlds.  In the same week I have photographed in a homeless shelter, President Bill Clinton and in the ER of a major trauma center.  The stories I tell through the lens reveal the human spirit and the journeys we all make through this life. My practice takes the form of educator, community activist and photographer.  My concerns frequently address the teenage years, family, memory and locality. I received a BFA from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame and a MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Visit their Website

Photography is my entry to so many worlds.  In the same week I have photographed in a homeless shelter, President Bill Clinton and in the ER of a major trauma center.  The stories I tell through the lens reveal the human spirit and the journeys we all make through this life. My practice takes the form of educator, community activist and photographer.  My concerns frequently address the teenage years, family, memory and locality. I received a BFA from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame and a MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Visit their Website
Eileen Ryan, artists,

Portrait by Abbi Chase

Previous Residency

Doug McGoldrick & Sayre Language Academy

Next Residency

Matt Siber & A.N. Pritzker Elementary School

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Artists in Public Schools (AiPS) makes art a vital part of public schools. Each donation fuels collaborations that inspire students and elevate artists, bringing diverse voices to the forefront of Chicago’s cultural landscape. All donations, no matter the amount, are greatly appreciated and help our organization make a lasting impact on the lives of artists, CPS students and faculty, and their communities.