Under the Surface

Each summer, young explorers from Northwest Passage set out for adventures that few have experienced. They bravely submerge themselves in rivers and lakes to learn about and document underwater ecosystems. The stunning photographs that result from these expeditions have been featured in books, films, and witnessed by over one million people at exhibits around the United States. These photographs represent the kids' exploration and discovery of the underwater world, and of themselves.

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"Mirrored" by Elle, 12 | Under the Surface 2020

The radical beauty of this flower hung to face her mirror. Stuck worrying about the past and future, pondering on what she should have done but didn’t. There’s an opportunity for her. She takes it and thrives throughout the rest of her worry-free life.

About the artist: Hello, my name is Elle. I am a 13-year-old just wanting to go home. I’m in the foster care system. When I was six, my mom, my brother, and I got in a car accident. That was the night I went into the system. Since then I have been in and out of homes. I was adopted once. It didn’t work out. After I found out that my adoptive parents were terminating their rights, I came to Northwest Passage. Now all I need is a home. Some of my favorite things to do are dancing, drawing, reading, singing, decorating, planning, shopping, baking, and a lot more.

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Under the Surface