Mentoring Can Be Contagious

Franklin McCrary III, 16, has participated in two summer programs at the Walker Art Center, which featured professional photographers. During the summer 1994 program, Franklin caught the eye of Seeds photographer Kate Maxwell Williams. She mentored Franklin and 14 other teens as part of a youth program in connection with the Carrie Mae Weems exhibition at the Walker. Since then, Kate says Franklin's work has continued to develop. His mom pushes him to shoot a roll of film a week.

"I give mentors all their due respect," says Franklin, "but I need to know for myself what their true colors are." And now Franklin's brother, seven-year-old Winston, is asking his brother to teach him about photography. Kate's mentoring continues as she advises the brothers on the photos they shot for this issue of Seeds "Mentoring makes me feel happy and accomplished," reports Kate. "It's fun to share something I love with an eager learner. Now that's what Franklin gets to experience with his brother."