WHALE Snappers at EVOC

Written by evocadmin on 4 March 2013

You are invited to view a new photography exhibit that EVOC is hosting in our office reception area, courtesy of WHALE Arts Agency. 

Zoe Dudziak, Arts Learning and Guidance Worker at WHALE, very kindly shares this guest blog post to tell us more about the group of photographers behind the exhibit:

Last year our photography group, WHALE Snappers, was established. Local participants meet up every month at WHALE Arts to improve their knowledge and practical skills in black and white photography. The members of the group support each other to learn, express their creativity and make new friends.

They examine many themes and forms from social history to relationships, architecture, nature and the beauty all around us.

This exhibition is a celebration of the work they have done so far.

Recently the group has been awarded an All Our Stories grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to document Wester Hailes, past and present. WHALE Snappers is one of the first groups in the UK to receive the grant.

All Our Stories is a brand new small grant programme which was launched in support of BBC Two’s The Great British Story. This popular television series, presented by historian Michael Wood and supported by a programme of BBC Learning activities and events, inspired thousands of us to ask questions about our history and to look at it through the eyes of ordinary people.

The All Our Stories grant has been designed as an opportunity for everyone to get involved in their heritage. With HLF funding and support, community groups will carry out activities that help people explore, share and celebrate their local heritage.

With their All Our Stories grant, the WHALE Snappers will be leading this exciting social history project documenting Wester Hailes old and new. Photographers provide portraits of local characters, images showing how the physical landscape has transformed, and what the area means to them personally. Wester Hailes is a community which is constantly adapting and changing. Whale Snappers plan to document and celebrate that.

WHALE Arts has just celebrated its 20^th Anniversary of running art activities for the people of Wester Hailes and South West Edinburgh. This new project is a chance for everyone to reflect and celebrate the evolution of Wester Hailes. As part of the project there will be workshops in photography, training available in citizen journalism and oral history, trips to archive collections, and exhibitions of the groups work.

It is great that EVOC have so generously donated a space where the Snappers work so far can be exhibited – it is much appreciated!

If anyone would like to join the Snappers feel free to come along to the next session on Wednesday 6th March at the WHALE Arts building (30 Westburn Grove) from 6pm-9pm. For more information ring us on 458 3267.

The exhibit of photographs from WHALE Snappers is on display in EVOC’s reception area until the end of March. Our offices are at 14 Ashley Place, Edinburgh, EH6 5PX and we are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4pm on Friday.