Tariq Tarey, a Columbus-based documentary photographer who has talked about the refugee experience before European Union leaders and Ohio policymakers, presented to an audience he’s never addressed before: kindergarten students.
“I want to make it light but as serious as the subject is,” he said. “It’s a delicate balance.”
Tarey, who was born in Somalia before coming to the U.S. as a refugee, serves as Robert Frost Elementary’s visiting artist, sharing photographs he captured that document the lives of fellow refugees.
Breanne Reamsnider, an English Learners teacher who is also a member of Robert Frost’s equity team, said their group approached Tarey to speak to students because they saw a meaningful opportunity to tie together his work with the building’s equity goals and Black History Month activities.
Next month, the school is hosting Miami University’s “Telling a People's Story” panel exhibit, which features illustrations from African-American picture books.
Tarey’s visit also kicks off a school-wide project with art teacher Yoon Kim, where each grade will focus on “telling a story” through their art in different ways.
“What better way to learn that than through the power of art and photography?” said Kim, who is also part of the school’s equity team.
Some of the students’ art will be directly inspired by important individuals in Westerville Black history featured in Robert Frost’s Black History Month program: Minerva France, the Fouses, Joseph Caulker, Mary Alston and William Thomas.
“Since (Tarey) does just that — tells people's stories through pictures, specifically refugees' stories — it was the perfect fit,” Reamsnider said. “We also loved that he focuses on themes of identity and taking pride/inspiration from his background. As a Somali-American, we knew his story would strike a powerful chord with many of our students — providing a human mirror, as well as a window/door for others.”
Tarey is director of Refugee Social Services at Jewish Family Services in Columbus and also serves on Ohio’s New African Immigrants Commission and the Franklin County Board of Commissioner’s New American Advisory Council.
He presented to all Robert Frost students by grade level, sharing images of families in refugee camps and at airports where they’ve reunited with relatives to help students understand what it means to be a refugee and where families go after they’ve fled their home countries.
He shared his own story, showing pictures of his family and home life in Somalia as a child and teenager.
He listened to students talk about what they learned from his presentation and answered their questions. He also reiterated that this is not a sad story.
Many of them may have friends or family members who have a similar story, he told students.
“They are here,” he said. “And they are with their family.”