Arwen Mariel Polanco: Marking the End of Her BDC Story

Arwen Mariel Polanco has called the Bronx Documentary Center (BDC) home for the past five years. Now, at 18 years old, she’s about to graduate high school and head to Baruch College to study advertising and marketing communications

“Since the fifth grade, I’ve always known that I wanted to be a photographer and I kind of let that dream go because my dad said, ‘oh, they don’t make a lot of money–it’s more of a hobby’” Arwen says. 

Arwen’s godmother was shocked at her father’s disapproval of her desire to become a photographer. Eventually, her godmother’s partner introduced her to the Bronx Documentary Center. Arwen decided to join its Youth Photo League program. “It was literally the last day to submit applications,” said Arwen, “I had worked that night to apply and I was so happy when I found out I got in.”

“I was mute for a while as a kid. I just wouldn’t speak at all,” she says. Throughout her childhood, anxiety was her constant companion, making simple daily interactions feel impossible.

Arwen’s first year at BDC wasn’t easy either. As a freshman in the advanced film photography class, she felt overwhelmed. “It was so scary because I was the only freshman in the class. Everybody was older than me and I had a lot of anxiety.”

“Something inside me was like, just come back. So I applied again and I’m so happy that I did.” Arwen says.

That dedication paid off in ways she never expected. Film photography became her passion. “I had never known that film ever existed until that class and it was just an amazing experience.”

BDC became more than just a place to learn photography, it became her home. “I feel like it's family to me. We really understand each other and we’ll step up for each other. We’ll help each other,” says Arwen when referring to her current classmates. “It sometimes takes years for you to find your people, but I definitely found mine.”

Under the guidance of the BDC photography teachers, Arwen learned to improve her communications skills. “Ricardo has been there all four years of my high school career and he really forces me to step out of my comfort zone and talk to people.” 

“Just having to go into the street and talk to strangers is something I never thought I would do and I know a lot of people can relate to that–like everybody’s scared to talk to strangers,” she says.

When asked about one of the most meaningful projects she worked on during her BDC career, Arwen said one of the most powerful photo projects she worked on came from a personal loss. During her junior year, Arwen had planned to photograph her grandmother; however, she unfortunately passed away just a mere few days after Arwen made her plans.  “She passed away [from] cancer and so I decided to dedicate my project to her and take pictures of the elderly,” said Arwen.

“I chose this project hoping to get close to my grandmother and get an understanding of what her life was like, because I knew there were many obstacles she had to face.” says Arwen “Her passing broadened my understanding that you don’t always have enough time with someone even though you think you do.” 

Her current senior year project tackles another personal struggle relating to hair and cultural identity. “Growing up, I wasn’t really able to express my natural hair. In the Dominican community, the beauty standard is to have straight hair to look more white,” she says, “I finally decided to rebel last year and just chop my hair off and regrow it, and take care of my natural hair.”

For Arwen, hair represents something deeper. “You can tell the type of person someone is by their hair, in my opinion, and people feel most beautiful when their hair feels right to them.”

As graduation approaches, Arwen has no plans to leave the BDC behind. She’s learned valuable lessons that go beyond photography. Film photography taught her patience and intentionality. “With film photography, you really have to think about what order you’re going to use to take the shot, because it’s film. It’s not like a digital camera you can just go around and shoot whatever. You really have to think about the composition, the lighting, your background.”

But perhaps the most important lesson has been about taking risks. “My problem is I’ve hesitated a lot, and I missed out on many beautiful photos. And so, just do it. Don’t let your mind stop you.”

For Arwen, the BDC represents something special in the Bronx. “In my opinion I feel like the BDC is like the heart and soul of the South Bronx...it's a hidden treasure, you don't know about it until you really know what it’s about.”

Her advice to future BDC students is simple, “[In photography], just follow your gut, then just go for the picture. Don’t be afraid of rejection. You’re gonna get rejected a lot and that’s okay.”

As she heads to college, she takes with her more than just photography skills; she brings the confidence to speak up, stand out, and tell her story through every photo that she takes.