When I was young, I had so many wonderful opportunities to express myself creatively through art — and a big part of that came from working with professional artists who generously volunteered their time with youth programs. Those experiences shaped me, and in the spirit of paying it forward, I do my best to give my time to support youth programs, especially those serving kids from underserved communities.
Adam Schallau working with kids from the Stewart L. Udall Parks in Focus program and the Grand Canyon Field School. June 2019.
Since 2010, I’ve been volunteering with the Stewart L. Udall Foundation’s Parks in Focus® program, which connects middle school youth to nature through photography, environmental education, outdoor recreation, and creative expression. During the summer months, I often work with 3–4 groups of kids — most from underserved backgrounds — sharing my passion for the outdoors and the art of photography.
I’ve also had the privilege of working with the Grand Canyon Field School’s Artists as Ambassadors program, where I provided mentorship and guidance to high school-aged artists. Alongside National Park Rangers and river guides, we took a group on a 4-day Colorado River trip through the Grand Canyon. During that time, I taught photography, shared insights about life as a professional artist, and we talked about the powerful role artists have played in shaping awareness and stewardship of our national parks. The students’ work from that program was later featured in a gallery exhibit at Grand Canyon National Park — an incredible culmination of their effort and creative growth.
As I reflect on the opportunities I had as a young person, I see the importance of continuing these programs, especially as the arts are slowly phased out of our public education system. It has been an incredible experience to see the impact these programs have on the kids. ~ Adam
