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Athens Photographic Project

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Athens, OH
Athens Photographic Project

A non-profit organization where community members use artistic expression as a component of mental health recovery. "The words just don't come out right.

A social enterprise where community members work as photographers with support. But through my pictures, I have a voice." - Jenny Hughes, APP artist

The Athens Photographic Project (APP) came about in 2000, when our founder, mental health advocate Elise Sanford, noticed a lack of recovery services in Southeast Ohio. She also noticed that people living with mental illness were often isolated and u

ninvolved in the community. Elise knew they were capable of much more. Since our founding, we have offered introductory and advanced photography courses, as well as exhibition opportunities, for adults and teens living with mental illness. By nurturing students' creativity, classes provide opportunities for self-exploration, self-expression, and renewed self-worth. APP students also have a transformative impact outside of the classroom, where their work adds a powerful voice to the arts and generates greater understanding about mental health.

08/31/2026

What a meaningful afternoon in Vinton County.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Vinton County’s Overdose Awareness Day and helped create a space for connection, remembrance, and hope. We were honored to bring the Recovery Reframed exhibition to the Vinton County Fairgrounds and spend time with people in recovery—photographing them, listening to their stories, and celebrating the courage it takes to share them.

Every conversation reminded us why this project matters. Recovery stories deserve to be seen, heard, and remembered, and we’re thankful to everyone who trusted us with theirs.

We were proud to share the day alongside so many organizations working to support our community, including Field of Hope, the Vinton County Health Department’s Post Overdose Response Team (P.O.R.T.), SAOP, and the Appalachian Children Coalition, as well as our partners 317 Board, Vinton County Health Department, Integrated Services, Hopewell Health Centers, and the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. Thank you for the important work you do to support individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use and overdose.

We’re keeping the momentum going! Today, August 31, we’ll be at Health Recovery Services (HRS) on Columbus Road in Athens from 3–6 PM, followed by our final event at Ohio University’s Ping Center on September 1 from 10 AM–2 PM.

At both events, we’ll have the Recovery Reframed exhibition on display and offer free photography sessions for anyone in recovery who would like to share their story.

We hope to see you, hear your story, and celebrate recovery together.

08/27/2026

Yesterday, Recovery Reframed was part of a beautiful day of connection, remembrance, and hope at Hocking County’s Overdose Awareness Day at Kachelmacher Park.

We shared the images and stories of many people in recovery through a Recovery Reframed exhibition and had the opportunity to photograph and hear the stories of 12 more individuals throughout the event. Their stories will become part of the growing collection of recovery stories that make up the Recovery Reframed Project.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, shared a story, visited the exhibition, or supported recovery in our community.

We’re especially grateful to our partners: 317 Board, Vinton County Health Department, Integrated Services, Hopewell Health Centers, and the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health for helping make this day possible.

We’re not done yet! Recovery Reframed will be at three more Overdose Awareness Day events, where we’ll once again share the exhibition and offer free photography sessions to anyone in recovery who is ready to share their story.

We’d love to meet you, hear your story, and help you tell it through photography.

Vinton County
Vinton County Fairgrounds
31471 OH-93, McArthur, OH 45651
Thursday, August 27 • 4–6 PM

Athens County
Health Recovery Services
224 Columbus Rd, Athens, OH 45701
Monday, August 31 • 3–6 PM

Ohio University
Baker University Center
1 Park Place, Athens, OH 45701
Tuesday, September 1 • 10 AM–2 PM

We hope to see you there and to have the opportunity to hear your story.

What a beautiful way to come together, remember those we’ve lost, celebrate those in recovery, and remind one another that recovery is possible.

08/24/2026

HONOR RECOVERY. SHARE YOUR STORY.

Recovery Reframed is a peer-led portrait and writing project that honors stories of recovery from substance use. By sharing our experiences we build connection, inspire others, and spark meaningful dialog in our community.

We will be featured at four community-wide Overdose Awareness Events this year. Come experience the exhibition and, if you're ready, create your own group or individual recovery portrait.

FIND US AT THESE FOUR OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY EVENTS:

Hocking County
Kachelmacher Park
10 S Mulberry St, Logan, OH 43138
Wednesday, August 26th | 2–4 PM

Vinton County
Vinton County Fairgrounds
31471 OH-93, McArthur, OH 45651
Thursday, August 27th | 4-6 PM

Athens County
Health Recovery Services
224 Columbus Rd, Athens, OH 45701
Monday, August 31st | 3–6 PM

Ohio University
Ping Recreation Center
82 South Green Drive, Athens, OH 45701
Tuesday, September 1st | 10 AM–2 PM

08/18/2026

Now Hiring: Studio Manager – Elise Sanford Studios
Follow in the footsteps of Athens Photographic Project’s founder, Elise M. Sanford, and serve as the first Studio Manager for the Elise Sanford Studios!

The Athens Photographic Project (APP) is seeking a creative and compassionate person to join us in introducing Elise Sanford Studios in Athens, Ohio this Fall!

APP is a peer-run organization (PRO) that supports mental health and wellbeing by empowering people to discover creativity, identity, and connection through photography.

For 25 years, APP has integrated photography classes, exhibitions, and workforce development opportunities as essential components of mental health support in Athens, Ohio. Today, we are expanding our peer-run mission to support the growth and accessibility of recovery-oriented arts, wellness, and peer support services throughout Southeast Ohio.

During Fall 2026, APP will introduce Elise Sanford Studios in Athens, Ohio as a home for our signature photography program and a creative space to nurture new peer-run programs and community partnerships that empower people in their recovery journey.

As our Studio Manager, you’ll work in a collaborative peer-driven environment to coordinate a variety of photography, arts, wellness and peer support programs offered at our studios and at regional behavioral health partner locations.

The Studio Manager supports program engagement for staff, volunteers, and members; oversees studio operations; and creates a welcoming and inclusive community where creativity supports healing and drives social change.

We’re looking for someone who cares deeply about mental health and wellbeing in our community, and who will bring their creative spirit (and strong organizational skills!) to life at our Studios. Team leadership and community engagement experience is a plus—and personal experience with recovery is valued.

Pay Rate: $23/hour

Apply by August 31st for full consideration!

Email a cover letter and resume to APP Executive Director, Nate Thomson at [email protected].

View our Studio Director position description details at https://athensphotoproject.org/engage/career-opportunities/

07/29/2026

Last week, APP’s Commercial Photography Team had the opportunity to bring our photo booth to Glouster Community Day of HOPE! It was wonderful to connect with so many members of our community alongside our recovery-focused partners, sharing resources, building relationships, and celebrating hope.

Events like these help make support more visible, welcoming, and accessible—meeting people where they are and reminding our community that no one has to navigate life's challenges alone.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, take a photo, and learn more about the Athens Photo Project.

07/20/2026

Our youth workshop in Glouster enjoyed a fun visit to Quinn Family Farm today, and nearly lost our minds around all the animals! Little goats, bantam hens, calfs, piglets and gentle horses made it hard for us to leave in the end.

Youth artists sometimes need to break out of routines, visit new places, see new things. Many thanks to our lovely hosts for giving of your time so generously!

06/24/2026

Highlights from multiple sites as we enter week three of RESILIENCE: Appalachian Youth Photo Program!

Each week our teaching teams facilitate self expression and photographic storytelling with youth in Glouster, McArthur, Nelsonville, Chillicothe, and Athens Ohio - Running through the end of July.

Keep an eye out for these young artists as they explore their communities.

Giving a Shout-out to our partners who help make it all possible! Paper City Mentoring Project, Sojourners of McArthur, Boys & Girls Clubs of Washington County, Hopewell Health Centers, Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health "317" Board and Ohio Arts Council and Appalachian Children Coalition

05/18/2026

Join our Summer Youth Photo Project: Resilience!
Young artists, ages 13-18, join us to explore your story growing up in Southeast Ohio through digital photography with professional photographers and Peer Recovery Specialists.

Athens Photo Project is hosting 8 week programs for young people from Athens, Hocking, Ross, and Vinton counties, June 8 - August 7. These youth artists will be featured in a traveling exhibition opening in Athens in Fall 2026.

• Free for teens 13-18
• Accessible to new, emerging, and experienced artists
• Priority registration for youth and/or families enrolled
in a behavioral health support service.

Currently taking referrals: For questions contact our program director, Lacy Davis at [email protected] or 740-941-629.

05/14/2026

Last call to apply for priority consideration!

Our arts and wellness team at the Athens Photo Project is growing, and we’re currently hiring for one Arts & Wellness Specialist position and two COMCorps Arts & Wellness Coordinator positions.

These roles support creative, community-based programming that uses photography to foster connection, self-expression, and recovery throughout Southeast Ohio.

Arts & Wellness Specialist
This staff role helps coordinate and facilitate photography-based groups that support creativity, personal growth, and community connection. The specialist works closely with participants, helps shape programming, and contributes to a welcoming, collaborative creative environment.

COMCorps Arts & Wellness Coordinators
COMCorps members support the day-to-day work of our arts and wellness programming through group facilitation, participant engagement, outreach, and creative activities. Coordinators also help develop new initiatives shaped by the ideas and interests of our peer community.

If you’re passionate about community arts, mental health recovery, and collaborative creative work, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply, email Lacy Davis at [email protected] with a cover letter and resume.

Questions? Feel free to email or call/text Lacy at 740-941-6291.

Apply by May 15th for full consideration!

05/02/2026

Our arts and wellness team is growing! The Athens Photo Project is seeking an Arts & Wellness Specialist and two ComCorps members to support creative, community-based programming that uses photography to foster connection, expression, and recovery.

Arts & Wellness Specialist
This staff role helps coordinate and facilitate photography-based groups that support creativity, personal growth, and community connection. The Arts & Wellness Specialist works closely with participants, helps shape programming, and contributes to a welcoming, collaborative creative environment.

COMCorps Members-Arts and Wellness Coordinators
ComCorps Arts & Wellness Coordinators support the day-to-day work of our arts and wellness programming. They help drive programming forward by assisting with group facilitation, participant engagement, outreach, and creative activities, while helping develop new initiatives shaped by the ideas and interests of our peer community.

For more information about the positions and how to apply visit our website at: https://athensphotoproject.org/engage/career-opportunities/

Address

434 West Union Street
Athens, OH
45701

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

(740) 589-7655

Website

http://www.athensphotoproject.org/

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