For the past quarter-century, the Expanding the Walls program has provided teenagers in Harlem with a powerful medium to express their identities and document their lives: photography. Now, a new exhibition at the Studio Museum in Harlem offers a compelling survey of this work, contrasting past and present through a curated selection of images that provide insight into the world and minds of New York City teens.
A Window into Teen Life
The exhibition, titled Expanding the Walls: Making Connections Between Photography, History, and Community, runs until 8 June. Curated by Briana Ellis-Gibbs, it features photographs taken by participants over the years, each image telling a unique story. From street scenes to intimate portraits, the collection reveals how these young artists see their environment and themselves.
Voices of the Participants
Zemi Moreno-Billingsley, a ninth-grader at Saint Ann's School in Brooklyn in 2025, explains her approach: 'Ordinary and everyday things make me wonder and drive my curiosity. I'm spontaneous in the way I approach photography. By freezing a moment in time, you can create a whole story that many people can interpret.'
Elanie Vargas, who has used a camera since a young age as an emotional outlet, writes: 'I hope to inspire my audience with peaceful images with uplifting undertones. I enjoy planning shoots, photographing primarily street or nature scenes. Album covers inspire my aesthetics, and I often plan out my images through sketching.'
Kevin Marshall, at age 17, reflects on his inspiration: 'Hearing recollections from my dad about his misfit adventures as a youth, and how my mom would struggle yet persevere, are things I want to explore. These narratives are important because they are things I wish I could have seen.'
Joel Angel Sebastian, then 16, explains his artistic philosophy: 'In participating in this program and experimenting with a camera, I have been able to find a new way to express myself. When I take pictures, I usually don't have a story to tell because I want the viewer to come up with their own narrative.'
Janaivi Sosa, aged 12 during the 2025 program, shares a personal revelation: 'In my time on Earth, I've walked hundreds of miles, yet not once have I noticed the abundance of beautiful colors of life. Through photography, I made it my mission to photograph beautiful scenery that people seem to not notice or simply walk past.'
Isabella de la Cruz, writing at age 14, says: 'When people see my photographs, I want them to reminisce about when they were younger and experience their childhood emotions again. With my photography, I want to convey feelings of love and a sentiment most people lose or sometimes forget deep down.'
A Lasting Legacy
Since its inception, Expanding the Walls has empowered countless teens to explore their creativity and document their perspectives. The exhibition not only showcases their artistic talents but also preserves a visual history of Harlem's youth, offering viewers a rare glimpse into their hopes, memories, and everyday lives.
