When I See Myself, I See...

When I See Myself, I See…, is a powerful portrait series by acclaimed storyteller and visual artist Natalie Daise. The exhibition highlights the creativity, dreams and lived experiences of 21 Voorhees University GEAR UP students. Daise interviewed students at South Carolina middle schools to learn about their hopes, dreams, aspirations and fears. The resulting portraits capture their stories and highlight the impact of the GEAR UP program to inspire imagination, creativity and dialogue around the challenges and opportunities facing youth today.

“These students trusted me with their stories and dreams. Creating their portraits felt like an act of worship. They are brave, brilliant, and beautiful—each a work of art. In a hard season of my life, they gave me hope. I’m honored to have met them." -  Natalie Daise. 

In addition to Daise’s portraits, the exhibition features student interviews exploring topics such as pop culture, family history, mental health, education and peer pressure. Produced by SCETV, these videos provide context and depth to the students’ stories, further enriched by student artwork and interactive elements throughout the exhibition.