BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Eye on Houston: Bellaire High School Student’s Photo Displayed at MFAH

By Jordan Magaziner Steinfeld, Staff writer | January 29, 2016

Click the Buzz Me button to receive email notifications when this writer publishes a new article or a new article in this column is published.

"Young Souls" by Blanca Barrios. Pictured: Aly, age 5, and Lea Barrios, age 3.

Head to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and you’ll find incredible art collections from countless renowned artists. You’ll also find inspirational works from local high school students in the annual exhibition Eye on Houston: High School Documentary Photography, a collaboration between MFAH and schools, which invites students to provide a look into their daily lives. Bellaire High School junior Blanca Barrios’ photo “Young Souls” is one of the student works displayed in this exhibit.

The kids in the photo are her nieces, Aly, age 5, and Lea Barrios, age 3.

“Every second I spend with them, they’re constantly inspiring me,” Blanca said, “Their love for each other reminds me so much of how close my siblings and I were, and I want to continue capturing them at their happy moments.”

Bellaire High School junior Blanca Barrios’ photo “Young Souls” is one of the student works displayed in the Eye on Houston exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.

She takes a photography class at Bellaire with Ms. Kelly Quarles, which she said has “pushed me to take risks and allow other to see my work.” She found out about the exhibit because Ms. Quarles mentioned it to the class a few times. Blanca said she was inspired to submit photographs because “I’ve never stepped out of my comfort zone, and I thought this could be the beginning of living outside the box.”

She also participates in a new Bellaire club called Photo Society, which she said she loves because she’s surrounded by people who share a common interest of photography.

“I hope for a future that allows me to continue to improving my art,” Blanca said, emphasizing how happy she is to be part of the exhibition and thankful for everyone who pushed her to continue pursuing photography.

Congratulations, Blanca!

See more about the Eye on Houston exhibit and be sure to visit it in person and support all of these talented students. The exhibition continues through May 1, and entrance to see it is included with museum admission.