"The WPA...helped create a dialogue with those whose voice needed to be heard."
"The Works Progress Administration created a lasting legacy in the arts not only through its architectural contributions but through the visual arts as well," said Gerardo José McGarity-Alegrett, animator for the Spare A Dime project and COSACOSA's Technology Specialist. "The history of photography is a great interest of mine, and the WPA had created some of the most important and symbolic images of not only the time period, but of American culture. Lewis Hine, Bernice Abbott, Walker Evans, and Dorothea Lang (to name but a few) helped define the art of documentary photography through support from the WPA. These photographers examined daily life, work ethic, and poverty through their cameras. Photography for the first time was being used as a device for social change and helped create a dialogue with those whose voice needed to be heard."
McGarity-Alegrett is a dual citizen of Venezuela and the United States and is currently studying Interactive Media and Design at Philadelphia University. He recently won the Dr. Diane A. Pfaltzgraff Capstone Seminar Award for his writings on LGBT human rights and social media in Israel. Previously, McGarity-Alegrett worked in AIDS research at Drexel University and taught photography in the Philadelphia public schools. His involvement at COSACOSA has ranged from multimedia design to a starring role as "Judge Mental" in Change ≠ Chance, our 2012 Philly Fringe performances. As an artist and inventor, McGarity-Alegrett draws his inspiration from his travels and is constantly planning new adventures. He has backpacked through Southeast Asia and, most recently, Peru, and he is looking forward to going to Tanzania and Kenya this summer.
McGarity-Alegrett is a dual citizen of Venezuela and the United States and is currently studying Interactive Media and Design at Philadelphia University. He recently won the Dr. Diane A. Pfaltzgraff Capstone Seminar Award for his writings on LGBT human rights and social media in Israel. Previously, McGarity-Alegrett worked in AIDS research at Drexel University and taught photography in the Philadelphia public schools. His involvement at COSACOSA has ranged from multimedia design to a starring role as "Judge Mental" in Change ≠ Chance, our 2012 Philly Fringe performances. As an artist and inventor, McGarity-Alegrett draws his inspiration from his travels and is constantly planning new adventures. He has backpacked through Southeast Asia and, most recently, Peru, and he is looking forward to going to Tanzania and Kenya this summer.