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Brooks Institute, the Santa Barbara, California-based photography college that has produced some of the best talents in photography and film, recently announced the grand opening of “Ireland.” The student documentary and exhibition based on student travels to Ireland will open March 14, 2008, just in time for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Only the most talented students were selected to be a part of the project, currently in post production.

Each year, the Visual Journalism program of Brooks Institute offers an international documentary trip for interested visual journalism, professional photography, and film students. The class, which is staged in a different international location each year, is limited to the strongest applicants: those who demonstrate solid understanding of photographic story-telling, the ability to work independently, and who reflect sensitivity to their roles as ambassadors.

Professor Joe Gosen selected Ireland for this documentary because of its contrasting elements that provide for good story-telling.

 "There is a warm and inviting allure to Ireland due in part to its people, its culture and the natural beauty of the land," said Gosen.  "Yet outside of this warm embrace, you can feel the tension and edge of a country that has survived decades of strife, but continues to emerge as a world economic and technological leader."

In the fall of 2007, the 12 selected students and instructor spent five weeks in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Upon their return, the students created projects to showcase their experiences from this documented trip, including a multimedia presentation, a print exhibition, website and a book and DVD, which will be available for sale. Proceeds will go to future documentary projects for the students.

Students had a unique access to document life in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

"Working on the Ireland documentary project has been a unique and life-changing experience for me.  I have always had a basic understanding of what it takes to shoot internationally but didn't fully appreciate the work involved," said John Waskey, a third-year student who spent most of his time in Northern Ireland. "My time spent working in Northern Ireland was incredibly rewarding.  I had the opportunity to interview Deputy First Prime Minister Martin McGuinness and speak with him about the changing political landscape in Northern Ireland.  It was inspiring to speak with someone who passionately believes Northern Ireland's social and political turmoil can be solved through peaceful means."

As an added bonus, the experience enabled several students the chance to explore their Irish heritage. 

"It's true that the Irish have the gift of the gab. I was raised in an Irish family and we've never met a stranger in our life. When I was in Ireland, even if I was just asking someone directions, we would end up talking for hours," said Breanna Conley, a third-year student.

After the grand opening on March 14th at the Lobero Theatre at 7 p.m., a second screening and gallery exhibit will be held at the Ventura Beach Marriott, 2055 East Harbor Blvd., Ventura, on March 17, 2008 (St. Patrick's Day) starting at 5:30 p.m. There will be additional screenings at the Cota Street campus gallery on Thursday, April 3, 2008, from 5-8pm to coincide with the Santa Barbara Downtown Organization's First Thursday initiative.

The Ireland documentary project website http://documentary.brooks/ireland will launch on March 14 and will showcase the work of the students on this trip. You may also visit the documentary class website (http://documentary.brooks.edu ) to view the work of previous international documentary classes, which have included trips to: Mexico, Cuba, Czech Republic, Australia, Argentina and China.

The public is invited to visit the Cota Street Gallery on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.  For more information, call the Brooks Institute Cota Street Gallery at (805) 690-4913.