Live Coal: Bringing the spark for artists and neighborhoods

Stanley Larry was just 12 when he met his mentor Yvette Rock, a University of Michigan alumna and Detroit artist, through an art program. At 22, he picked up a camera for the first time, thanks to the encouragement of Rock. "The world looked different when I picked up the camera. It gave me the opportunity to freeze moments,” said Larry, who at 33 is now a professional photographer specializing in events and portraits. Larry credits Rock and her husband for playing such a big role in his life. He is currently documenting his work on the Detroit rePatched project for Rock's Live Coal, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to transform lives and neighborhoods through art, community development and education. "Being part of this allows me to understand the importance of art and showing what I see through my lens.