"Carlos-N-Book" by Tristin Meyweather

Students enrolled in the YMCA of Western North Carolina's afterschool programs have been learning photography skills and have practiced them on their peers. The images have been collected for an exhibition at UNC Asheville. "The Power of Peers: Life After School, Through the Eyes of Asheville's Urban Youth" will be on view through February 28 at UNC Asheville's Ramsey Library, Third Floor Gallery. The exhibition is a collection of images depicting the students' view of their peers and what influences them once the afternoon school bells ring. A closing reception with the young artists will be held 4-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27, in the gallery. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public.

Students in two programs, the YMCA's Project Youth Outreach at Asheville Middle School and YMCA Multicultural Achievers, teamed up for the exhibit. The objective was to provide disadvantaged youth with quality photography lessons and give them the opportunity to showcase their work to the community. The exhibit is a follow-up of a summer 2007 exhibit of images from students in YMCA's Community Outreach program in UNC Asheville's Blowers Gallery.

The project is made possible through the support of the YMCA of Western North Carolina and Jason Briscoe, school resource officer and professional photographer.

UNC Asheville's Third Floor Gallery is open during regular library hours. For hours of operation, call UNC Asheville's Ramsey Library at 828/251-6546.