Encinitas student’s photograph selected for Museum of Photographic Arts Youth Exhibit

Katie Solowiej, a sixth grade student who attends Edison Academy at Rancho Encinitas Academy in Encinitas, enjoys taking photographs.

On a Photography Club field trip in the spring of 2015, she took a unique self-portrait of her reflection in a window of Pannikin Coffee and Tea in Encinitas.

Katie submitted the photograph to be considered for the Museum of Photographic Arts’ (MOPA) 10th Annual Youth Exhibition with the theme of “Self Reflection.” The museum asked students to explore their identity in a photograph. Contributions to the exhibition were open to students throughout San Diego County and Tijuana. Katie was thrilled to find out that her photo had been selected to be featured at the museum.

Since 2006, MOPA has held an annual juried exhibition showcasing the photographic talents of San Diego youth.

Every year, students are encouraged to submit work that responds visually to a particular theme. The winning entries are selected for their originality and artistic interpretation of that year’s topic. This year’s Youth Exhibit asked the student photographers to consider these questions: How can you explore your identity through a photograph? What might you include in your self portrait to tell a story about yourself? How has photography changed the way we share our identities and personal stories with the world? The exhibit runs until Jan. 24, 2016.