Being a volunteer at the Open Eye Gallery, I had the privilege of being able to go to Whitby High School and see the presentations the students had done on the work they were planning to be shown in the gallery space. The quality and creativity of what was presented was incredible and now, having been to the exhibition, it is even more impressive and rather surreal in the gallery after having seen it on the small screen for the first time. The prompt and theme of this exhibition, People and Places, may seem rather simple, but the creativity of the students was evident in the many directions it was taken in. From photographs showing very personal stories such as a sister leaving for university (Jasmin Davies) to showing the reality of not caring for our planet and the effects it can have (Isabel Pritchard). The themes presented are powerful, personal and important. They are all worth seeing and spending time with.

Kit Abramson, Programme Manager, Is Anybody Listening? Our Time, Our Place said: The urgency of Whitby High School and Open Eye Gallery’s work relates to the intergenerational nature of poverty, economic hardship and the representation & misrepresentation of northern communities. As we face a crippling cost-of-living crisis and the long-term fall-out of a catastrophic pandemic, these themes are more apparent and relevant than ever. ‘People and Place equips young people with the skills and understanding to have pride in, and recognise the value of, their own heritage, seeing it as something worth preserving and developing the confidence to document it from the inside out – giving a louder and rooted voice to the people that make and represent ‘place’.

Not only were the students at Whitby High School the artists behind the work, but they also helped as part of the curation process in deciding where their work should go and how it should be displayed. This exhibition shows the benefits of encouraging students and young people in their creative career, providing opportunities for them to display their work and collaborate with an art institution. My personal research as an MA student focuses highly on Arts Education and celebrating the art of young people. Being able to see such important themes through the lenses of these young people is valuable, and we can all see parts of ourselves, our own identities and stories through their work. 

Student Megan McHugh said: For this project with The Open Eye Gallery, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. It has enabled me to engage creatively in the project by constantly experimenting and developing new skills. From this programme I was able to develop confidence and experience new opportunities and ideas which further helped me to develop my photography.’ 

We can all learn from those around us no matter what stage of life or career. This exhibition highlights that not only in the fact that the works are presented by students who are just starting off in their photography journey, but in the themes displayed. The places we go to and the people we interact with are what brings us all together in our experiences. Photography is just one way of being able to share them.

Anna Wijnhoven, the exhibition’s creative producer states: Working with the Whitby High students on their ‘People and Places’ project has been an amazing opportunity. Over the past few months, I have worked with the students to help them create thoughtful and insightful photography projects that reflect their personal stories as well as their local culture and heritage. Throughout the project, the students have learnt a range of visual literacy skills that will help them to become a part of a new generation of image makers, and I am excited and intrigued to see what the future holds for them all. 

Being able to see this stage of the students’ creative practice is exciting. As Anna says, it is something to look forward to, to see what the future holds for them. 

Image credit: Jasmin Davies