FROM ASHES TO ART: "THE RISE FROM THE FLASHES" PROJECT BRINGS HEALING AND HOPE TO AVESON SCHOOL OF LEADERS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

Altadena, California - In the wake of tragedy, a spark of creativity and healing is lighting the way forward for students at Aveson School of Leaders. After losing their campus to the devastating Eaton Fire in January 2025, Aveson students have found a powerful way to process loss and embrace resilience-through the lens of a camera.

"The Rise From the Flashes" Project, helmed by mindful photography advocate Byron Flitsch (Author of Snap Happy: Mindful Photography for Kids) and veteran educator Amelia Weinstock, has brought a transformative photo experience to the displaced Aveson community.

With support from the Greater Los Angeles Foundation, Flitsch and Weinstock 5th grade students to explore themes of resilience, gratitude, and healing through the art of analog photography. Each student received a 35mm disposable camera, intentionally chosen to limit the number of exposures and eliminate digital distractions. With just 24 chances to capture what matters most, students were challenged to slow down, tune into their emotions, and shoot with purpose. The result?

It is a raw, compelling visual narrative that tells the story of young people rising from literal ashes. "This wasn't just about taking pictures," said Flitsch. "It was about seeing clearly feeling deeply. The students learned to find light in the shadows, both in their images and in themselves. "I didn't know how to explain how I felt," said one Aveson 5th grader. "But when I saw my photos, I thought-that's it. That's what it looked like inside my head."

The project will culminate in an in-person gallery exhibition this fall (date and location to be announced), showcasing the students' poignant work and offering the community a chance to witness their journey through grief, growth, and gratitude. In addition, a limited-edition photo book will be published, preserving this powerful chapter in Aveson's story.

This is just the beginning. "The Rise From the Flashes" is designed to continue across Southern California and beyond, bringing its healing framework to other schools and youth programs.

Schools interested in hosting the project can connect directly with Byron Flitsch at: http://www.snaphappymindfulphotography.com/rise-from-the-flashes
Despite the challenges faced after the Eaton Fire, the Aveson community is proving that even in the darkest times, creativity can be a catalyst for connection, healing, and hope.

Media Contact:
Byron Flitsch
Website: https://www.snaphappymindfulphotography.com/rise-from-the-flashes
(For interviews, images, or further details, please reach out to
press@snaphappymindfulphotography.com)

"They lost their school, but they found their voice. And they shared it-in 24 frames."

Aveson Schools/Snap Happy Mindful Photography
524 Palisade St, Pasadena, CA 91103

Snap Happy Mindful Photography Founded by author and educator Byron Flitsch, Snap Happy Mindful Photography is a creative platform that uses photography as a tool for mindfulness, expression, and emotional growth in young people. Through workshops, school programs, andcommunity partnerships, Snap Happy empowers kids to see the world-and themselves- with clarity and compassion.

This release was published on openPR.