Anoosh Ariamehr and Communities of Welcome
Celebration: 19 June, 1pm–3pm, The Kirkby Centre
Since January 2025, artist-in-residence Anoosh Ariamehr has been working weekly with a group of Knowsley residents at Huyton Library. Through weekly workshops, Anoosh has supported the group to develop their skills as photographers and artists via workshops, gallery visits and discussion.
The group – Communities of Welcome – became a space for people from diverse cultural and social backgrounds to celebrate their own differences and commonalities. Over several months, the group have used photography to explore their local area, encourage each other and to highlight their own lived experiences of locality and displacement.
Each person brings their own unique history and experiences to a place. This exhibition tells personal stories of connection, identity and place. When these stories are shared, they help us build stronger, more cohesive communities.
Participants: Angela Donnelly, Nataliia Dzhemailova, Sue Emery, Anastasiia Holovach, Andrew Johnson, Semanur Kelesoglu and Jim Stuart.
Anoosh Ariamehr is a socially engaged artist based in Knowsley, whose work focuses on social justice and storytelling. He uses photography as a universal language to bring people together.
Communities of Welcome is part of Photo Here, a programme of socially engaged photographic residencies and exhibitions commissioned by Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as part of this year’s Cultural Events Programme. Developed by Open Eye Gallery in collaboration with each of six local authorities: Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral.
Image: Andrew Johnson
Address:
The Kirkby Centre
Norwich Way
Kirkby L32 8XY
Open:
Monday to Friday: 10am – 5pm. Saturday: 10am – 1pm.
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