Prescot Photography Club: How photography united local community
The room at Shakespeare North Playhouse during the Prescot Photography Club launch was filled with pride – and rightly so, with all the hard work the members of the club have put in this year to become a constituted group.
Dot, a member of the club, said: ‘I feel really pleased that we have got here after the last couple of years. We feel official now! We have been keeping together, and now we have our own group, and we can go on from here. It’s a good start’.
The group worked with artist Tony Mallon for over two years, looking at how they would reimagine the local high street and create a contemporary portrait of the area. Tony mentions that it felt right to go back in time, first looking at archival imagery, sparking memories of the area with the residents, instigating conversations about their memories of growing up in Prescot and building confidence to explore the local area and make connections with people creating their portraits. Participants’ archival photographs and stories revealed how the high street played a pivotal role in their lives. They were able to share lots of fond memories of both people and their local area. ‘The main highlight for me has been watching their friendships develop and their confidence grow’, said Tony.
Through Tony’s support, the local residents have become documentors of their own community, using a combination of street photography and portrait techniques to tell their stories. Jim, another member of the Prescot photography club, said, ‘It has become quite a big part of my life. I got to know all the people and I have learnt quite a lot photographically’.
The group have already outlined a programme for the next year with planned meetings, photo walks, trips, workshops with Tony Mallon and guest speakers from Open Eye Gallery, which will give the group an insight into different roles within the art industry and a chance to discuss their work with people that have a variety of experiences. The group is also working towards a members’ exhibition, which might happen as soon as this autumn. Another idea is a calendar produced by local photographers for the local people of their local area – a wonderful addition to all the work the group have been doing.
The members spoke about how much they have enjoyed working with Tony and how much the group means to them. One of the main highlights is the friendships that they have formed and continued with throughout their journey.
Speaking on how photography and arts can help people’s wellbeing, Dot said, ‘I have been doing photography all my life and really enjoy it. I go out every day and take lots of pictures every day. I have always done it, but it was nice to be working in a group. When we were first meeting up, we were not sure where we were going to go and what we were going to take pictures of, but that was the exciting bit – being able to decide what we wanted to do. It was nice that we went out into the town and talked to lots of people – it gave me a lot more confidence to approach people and speak with them. I never used to do that”.
The group is open – anyone is welcome to join the group and all abilities are welcome! You can join by contacting the Prescot photography group via email ppc1839@gmail.com or their Instagram page @prescotphotoclub.
Text and photos: Tricia Grant-Hanlon, Open Eye Gallery’s Socially Engaged Practice Assistant
