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Education in artmaking
Through the lens of young artists with LensBright Initiative
Storytelling is a superpower, and the stories we tell ourselves have the ability to shape our futures. That’s the idea behind the LensBright Initiative, which provides creative opportunities to young artists through lens-based artmaking.
Choosing the right lens
What started as a program with six high school students at William L. Sayre High School in West Philly has grown to serve more than 90. Ejun Mary Hong and Jack Nicholas Roney developed the after-school initiative while fine arts majors at the University of Pennsylvania.
“Students develop their artistic visions, and we provide materials, resources, and mentorship,” Hong said.
It was Hong who approached Roney about mentoring high school students after being impressed with his artistic work in class, and they bonded over being raised by teachers. In 2025, they received the competitive UPenn President’s Engagement Prize with $100,000 in funding to expand their efforts.
LensBright is still new enough that there’s no set trajectory for participants, who explore photography, video, or animation as creative mediums. One recent participant with a passion for comic design joined at a teacher’s recommendation. While in the program, they worked on their portfolio, participated in weekly reflection, and sold artwork.
Hong finds particular value in her chosen medium of animation because “it’s not only storytelling. It’s also about character design. It’s about world building. It’s about editing.” Roney, a photographer and multidisciplinary artist, appreciates how easy it is to explore photography. “Anyone can pick up a camera,” he said.
Word-of-mouth and university partnerships have so far helped recruit college students and early-career artists to serve as mentors, the cornerstone of the initiative. Occasional industry guests, like animation professionals from Nickelodeon, provide real-world insights. Connecting student dreams with concrete plans is key. “They can use the skills and networks that we’ve built for them to thrive and lead successful lives,” Roney said.
With an eye to the future
The coming school year will focus on how to showcase LensBright student work beyond the classroom through partnerships and exhibitions.
LensBright will expand to offer photography and video team meetings at Sayre High School and animation team meetings at West Philadelphia High School. Among those providing students professional advice and portfolio reviews will be animation studio LAIKA, which created the Academy Award-nominated Coraline. LensBright is also seeking more creative professionals and university students for its roster of mentors.
Meanwhile, Hong and Roney continue to create for themselves—as time allows.
“When I see other young artists finding their own voice, I think that itself is kind of an artwork,” Hong said.
What, When, Where
To find out more about becoming a LensBright mentor, collaborating on a project, or sharing an idea, contact [email protected] or visit lensbright.org.
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