With vulnerability comes power, and from that power, something meaningful can emerge. On May 10, Worcester State University student and artist Courtney Cristo will debut an exhibition at Worcester Center for Crafts centered on that very idea. Courtney’s showcase features 12 original poems paired with 12 photographs. Each pairing is deeply personal, reflecting struggles she’s faced and overcome.
Photography is a passion passed down from her grandfather, who spent his life capturing the quiet beauty of the world through his lens. When Courtney was just 13, her grandmother placed his old camera in a box and gifted it to her. The same camera she had watched him use to capture precious moments in time. It was the passing of the torch.
Since then, she has carried his legacy forward, using that very camera to tell stories in a way that is uniquely her own. She began by photographing senior portraits, couples in love, and families caught in joyful moments. With every click of the shutter, her confidence grew, and her bond with her grandfather’s craft deepened. Each image is a tribute to where she comes from and who she’s becoming.
In her latest exhibition, Courtney weaves together the vulnerability of poetry with the intimacy of photography, creating a raw fusion of word and image. Each piece reflects her journey, as someone learning to transform personal pain into something beautiful, lasting, and deeply human.
Opening up about why her exhibition feels so personal, Courtney said, “There’s power in it, because it’s my voice, my words, my creation, but that also makes it vulnerable. Putting something so personal out into the world can feel exposing. Still, I enjoy it. I like hearing people’s feedback and seeing the different reactions. That part of the process, and how others connect with the work, is really meaningful to me.”
When asked about what people should expect, Courtney shared: “Keep an open mind. Vulnerability plays a very big part in some of the things I wrote. Some people who know me personally might understand the reasons behind these poems and images—some may not. So, I think anyone who attends should just be open to the emotions that might come up while reading or viewing the work.”
With her exhibition, Courtney offers an invitation to sit with emotion, to confront vulnerability, and to celebrate the quiet strength it takes to share your truth. She hopes visitors leave with a deeper understanding of what it means to turn struggle into art.
Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Rd., Worcester, hosts the exhibit will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. inside the library. Be sure to visit her website here or check out her portfolio on Instagram.
