Throughout the year, CDS offers continuing education courses in the documentary arts to people of all ages and backgrounds. Some choose to enroll in the Certificate in Documentary Arts program, which offers a more structured sequence of courses culminating in the Final Seminar in Documentary Studies, where students finish and present a substantial documentary work—photography, film and video, audio, multimedia, and writing projects that often move out into the world in the form of exhibits, installations, screenings, websites, and more.
Ten students completed their final projects in this spring’s seminar taught by filmmaker Nancy Kalow. In May they presented their work to the public and received their certificates. Watch and listen to the wide-ranging documentary work of eight of the students below (two chose to not make their projects public at this time).
Jennifer Graves | Immigrant’s Great Granddaughter: Family Stories remembered, retold, and relived [Video]
Jennifer Graves earned the Certificate in Documentary Arts at the Center for Documentary Studies in May 2012. A piece of experimental multimedia collage art that attempts to document the author’s efforts to posthumously know and relate to the Polish quarter of her ancestry in her contemporary search for the American Dream.
Hermes Illana | Day by Day [Video]
Hermes Illana earned the Certificate in Documentary Arts at the Center for Documentary Studies in May 2012. The documentary is a glimpse into the lives of two homeless men who live in the woods in Durham. They come out every day to panhandle and make enough money for their daily survival.
Beth Geglia | Yo No Vengo Solo [Video]
Beth Geglia earned the Certificate in Documentary Arts at the Center for Documentary Studies in May 2012.
Leanora Minai | The Mothers [Video]
A group of mothers in Durham, North Carolina, support each other through grief and healing after losing a child to murder. For more information, please visit http://www.leanoraminai.com/themothersdocumentary
Hannah R. Swenson | The New Conductors [Video]
Deep in the woods and past forgotten historical landmarks, two men seek to share their ancestors’ stories of the Underground Railroad.
Ben Pagac | Counting Shadows on the Moon [Audio]
An homage to a gentle, dedicated ornithologist and unsung contributor to the start of the environmental movement.
Meral Agish | A Fairly Healthy Relationship [Audio]
A young woman asks for marriage advice from her parents and ends up with a sprawling portrait of a decades-long relationship.
Krissa Palmer | Traci’s Dress [Audio]
It is said that time heals all wounds, but wearing a special dress made by loving hands can help too.
Diane Bock | It Keeps Me in Line: Brenda’s Story [Audio]
A audio documentary about one woman’s journey from addiction and homelessness back to society.
