TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama Crossroads Community Center and the Center for Community-Based Partnerships will display the Black Belt 100 Lenses Project with an opening celebration for the exhibit Tuesday, March 25, at 4 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Crossroads Lounge.

This photography exhibit shows the beauty of rural Alabama through the lenses of Sumter County students in grades 7-11. The students were given point-and-shoot cameras and told to capture the culture and conditions of their communities. From nature scenes to family life and religious images, the subject matter varied from student to student.

“The most rewarding part of the project is seeing the students explore their talents, tap into skills they didn’t realize they had and realize the important things within their community that are sometimes taken for granted,” said Elliot Knight, 100 Lenses project coordinator.

In addition, works from Sumter County glass artist Linda Munoz, who created artwork inspired by the students’ photography, will be on display.

Black Belt 100 Lenses is co-sponsored by AlabamaREAL, the Black Belt Community Foundation, Center for Community-Based Partnerships, Creative Campus Initiative, Crossroads Center, Ferguson Center, Students in Free Enterprise, Sumter Academy and Sumter County Board of Education.

For more information, contact Dr. Beverly Hawk, Crossroads Center director, at 205/348-6930 or beverly.hawk@ua.edu.

The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is in the midst of a planned, steady enrollment growth with a goal of reaching 28,000 students by 2010. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state's economy, is in keeping with UA's vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state's flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.