Ann Rosen is concerned about the way our society oppresses women, especially those of a lower economic class. Many women living in shelters come out of the foster care system and are neglected and abused. Research shows how this leads to mental illness and drug abuse. Creativity has been proven to be an effective way to benefit those with mental illness. Rosen has photographed and taught photography to women living in shelters for several years.

For her Project Space residency, Rosen will be visiting and running a series of workshops with women living in shelters in Rochester, NY. Together they will visit museums and galleries and then make photographs and artworks inspired by what they’ve seen as well as being reflective of their private lives. What they create will be exhibited at VSW.

Ann Rosen received her MFA from VSW and has worked as a photographer and teacher ever since. Her most recent work, portraits of women living in shelter, was shown at Five Myles Gallery. Her portraits of Brooklyn families chronicling diversity were recently shown in St. Louis and published in 2009.

Support for this project came from Joy of Giving Something and the New York State Council on the Arts Visual Arts program.