My Brentford - an exhibition of photographs

Created by students from Brentford School for Girls on what Brentford means to them

What do you like about Brentford? What is different about Brentford? What does Brentford offer? What makes Brentford your neighbourhood? What makes Brentford ‘home’?

These questions were put to students from Brentford School for Girls as they worked with Waterman’s Arts Centre over a series of sessions, learning and practicing photography techniques with local photographer Jai Tyler.  This project encouraged local young people to get out and about in Brentford, taking their own photographs to express what Brentford means to them.

Pictured L-R are Shafiq, the Bridge; Liz Gers, Brentford School for Girls; John Turner Ballymore; Elliot,  The Docking Station; Kate Groundwork South, and Jai, local photographer. All others are students from Brentford School for Girls.

The project culminated in an exhibition, hosted by the Docking Station, Brentford’s community space on Brentford High Street. Local residents and business owners, the student photographers and staff from the school turned out to support the event. Fresh food, cooked on site, was laid on by catering trainees from the Bridge, and expertly served out by their front of house trainees.

Nadia Nervo from the Watermans said "This is a great opportunity for participants to identify what is important to them in Brentford, and express this through photography, working alongside a professional artist. One of the many benefits of taking part in this type of creative project is the confidence and self-esteem that students gain from being able to have their view heard and seen."

A great collaboration between local groups and businesses, the Docking Station, Brentford School for Girls, Watermans Arts Centre and The Bridge, this project is funded by Ballymore, who, on arrival at the exhibition, immediately commissioned a set of framed prints from the exhibition to be given to the school, and ordered an A0 sized print of their favourite image for their offices in central London. Ballymore also support the Docking Station, the community hub for this project. For more information see Facebook.com/ BrentfordDockingStation.

June 11, 2013