Sights Unseen

Since April 2009 PhotoVoice, in partnership with Sight of Emotion, has been working in the UK and China to train blind and visually impaired people in the use of photography as a tool of communication, advocacy and artistic expression. The project builds upon the success of the 2007 project Beyond Sight, PhotoVoice’s first project working with blind and visually impaired people. Following the completion of the first course of 8 photography workshops with service users from OBAC in London, five participants are now embarking upon personal advocacy projects supported by PhotoVoice facilitators, and training is taking place this week to prepare participants to take roles as workshop leaders in the next course of photography workshops, starting in August.
Click here to see work from the first round of workshops

Sights Unseen - China

In May 2009, two PhotoVoice facilitators travelled to Beijing, China, to deliver two days of facilitator training and to support a week of photographic workshops for blind and visually impaired people. Participants included two sighted photographers and two visually impaired staff from One-Plus-One. The week culminated in an exhibition of the photographs at the Affordable Art Fair Beijing, accompanied by audio descriptions and tactile diagrams of the photos to ensure the work could be enjoyed by all. This exhibition, and some extremely positive press coverage, allowed the photographers to challenge conventional attitudes to disability in China. More visually impaired people in Beijing will be given access to this valuable tool through ongoing workshops in September 2009, led by the photographers and One-Plus-One staff trained by PhotoVoice.
Click here to read an article about the China phase of Sights Unseen.
Click here for more information about the project, and to view an online photo gallery.

UR in the Picture Exhibition

PhotoVoice's project in partnership with United Response working with mental health service users in the UK was celebrated in a beautiful and hugely successful exhibition at the Bankside Gallery on Southbank running from the 7th to the 12th July. At a celebration event on Thursday 9th the photographers and guests were addressed by David Brindle, Public Services Editor at the Guardian, who praised the quality of work and the directness of the messages they conveyed.

Click here to view an online gallery of work from the project.

PhotoVoice Bursaries

This Summer sees the final stages of the pilot year of PhotoVoice’s new bursary scheme. The scheme is aimed at supporting participants of PhotoVoice projects who wish to continue to develop their photography skills and experience. This year, PhotoVoice, with the generous support of the John Kobal Foundation, has supported 16 photographers to gain the equipment, support and/or further training they need.

Click here to view a slideshow of work by this year’s PhotoVoice bursary recipients.

PhotoVoice Bursary Exhibition
An exhibition of photographs by Tanvir Bush and Mickel Smithen

20th July - 18th September 2009
Maynard Leigh, Victoria House, 64 Paul Street EC2A 4NA
Click here for directions

Free entry Monday - Friday 9am-6pm by arrangement
Email matt@photovoice.org for details and to arrange a viewing.

Private view and drinks reception: Tuesday 11th August 6.30pm - 8pm
Limited spaces available - email matt@photovoice.org for details.

This is How We See It, London

PhotoVoice, in partnership with Fairbridge London and the Tate Modern, has just started a programme of workshops with excluded young people in Hackney and Kennington. “This Is How We See It” is exploring youth identity and representation across London over 24 sessions led by Matthew Lea, Othello Del Souzo-Hartley, Kyna Gourlay  and David Nwikpo.

My City, My World, Liverpool

This Summer Photovoice has begun a project in partnership with Liverpool City Council, working with Looked After Children and young disabled people across Liverpool. Trained in photography and working around the theme ‘My City, My World’, at least 30 young people will document their lives and aspirations, producing work that will open up new lines of communication with their peers, families and the general public.

Moving Lives 2009, London

PhotoVoice’s work with refugees continues in a new partnership with the Refugee Council. “Moving Lives 2009”, led by Liz Orton, will be working with 12 unaccompanied refugees in Brixton. Alongside the refugee programme we are training up four facilitators in an exploration of reflective practice.

Photovoice Lecture Series 2009 - Tom Stoddart

7.30pm Tuesday 6th October 2009
Conway Hall, South Place Ethical Society

Now established as one of the world’s most respected photojournalists, Tom Stoddart, will deliver the final lecture in the series.

For more information click here

PhotoVoice Auction of Exceptional Photographs 2009

6pm Tuesday 8th December 2009
Thomson- Reuters, Canary Wharf

PhotoVoice is excited to announce this year's prestigious Auction of Exceptional Photographs, taking place on the 8th December in Canary Wharf. After the success of last years event that raised over £100k for PhotoVoice, the response from the photography community this year has been significant. We are all set to have the best collection to date with new donors such as Mary Ellen Mark, Thurston Hopkins and Mary McCartney.

If you need a reminder of what to expect or are new to PhotoVoice, please click here to see last years photo's and lots.

More details for 2009's auction will be available online from September so keep an eye out to see the latest donated prints.

Virgin London Marathon 2010 - Run for PhotoVoice

PhotoVoice has one place available for the London Marathon 2010. Running the marathon can be a life defining moment, and what's more, you could raise thousands for your favorite charity - PhotoVoice!

This opportunity only comes around for us every four years, so we are really hoping to raise as much money as we can to support our projects and work with marginalised communities next year. We are asking individuals who would like run for us to apply for the place by pledging the amount they expect to raise through sponsorship and commit to raising 50% of this pledge by October 2009.

Please email kat@photovoice.org with your pledge, how you expect to raise the money and why you would like to run the marathon for PhotoVoice.

How Else Can You Help?

More than ever PhotoVoice needs your support to continue our work and projects. Over a third of our fundraising comes from individuals such as you and without it PhotoVoice would not exist.

There are many ways you can help PhotoVoice come through these tough times:

Sign up as a Friend of PhotoVoice. For as little as £5 you will receive regular updates and discounts on PhotoVoice events & publications. Click here

Already a Friend of PhotoVoice? Encourage one of your mates to sign up and we will give you a PhotoVoice Limited Edition print. Click here

Do you have a celebration/anniversary coming up? Avoid unwanted gifts and encourage your Friends and Family to donate to PhotoVoice instead Click here

Run your own fundraising/sponsored event. PhotoVoice can provide you with promotional materials and logos and help support your event.

Simply make a Donation Online – every penny counts! Click here

PhotoVoice supporters make a huge impact on our work and without your kind donations we would not be able to continue our projects with marginalized communities. We would like to say a huge thank you to following individuals and organizations:

Nova Gallery, who will be donating 10%of their print sales to eight charities, one of which is PhotoVoice.

The Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust, The Body Shop Foundation, The Greater London Fund for the Blind, The Coutts Charitable Trust, The Commonwealth Foundation and the Souter Foundation for their support of our work.

Jane Martin - Programme Manager
Jane has 20 years experience as a participatory facilitator, trainer, researcher, and project manager working in performance, video, photography and visual art. Her areas of expertise include work with young people, international development, cross-cultural learning, HIVAIDS, mental health and capacity building. She has an MA in Theatre and Media for Development from the University of Winchester, is a member of IDEA, the International Drama and Theatre in Education Association and was a participant in the 2007 World Creativity Summit.

Silvie Wallington - Office Administrator
Having lived and worked in several countries including Japan, Ecuador and Malaysia, Silvie’s love for photography and international development brought her to PhotoVoice at the beginning of 2009 as an intern. We are delighted to welcome her to the team full time.

If you can’t wait three months until the next newsletter from PhotoVoice you can now keep update to date with what we are doing on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube!

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