A photography exhibition by members of Milford Haven Youth Council has received a great response since its launch at the Torch Theatre on Friday evening by Cllr Wynne Evans, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council.
The photographs depict different places and landmarks in Milford Haven but with a twist – each photograph is also covered in hundreds of thumbprint images of local people in a mosaic style.
All the images were taken by the young people, and Community Youth Worker Nick Hudd said it was a fantastic learning process.
“They’ve developed many skills, not only how to take photographs and organising an exhibition, but how also in terms of community relations.
“We had as many people declining to have their photographs taken as accepting to, and they learnt that having a photograph taken isn’t for everyone, and they handled it well.”
He said the project also been successful in helping to change perceptions of the community – both among the young people and the members of the public who they approached.
“While they are taking the photos they are talking to people and learning about more about the rich cultural history of the area and different people’s perceptions of it – including fascinating stories from older people and children’s points of view.
“They have also helped to change their own views of different places by transforming quite ordinary local – and sometimes negative – landmarks into works of art.”
The exhibition has been so popular that people have already offered to buy some of the images, but the rest will be auctioned to raise funds for the youth club’s annual Christmas Dinner for pensioners, and the annual Milford Haven Christmas Day dinner organised by Cllr Guy Woodham.
Cllr Wynne Evans praised the young people for their decision to plough the funds back into local activities, saying: “This shows their commitment to being active and constructive members of a community and I would like to commend them highly.”
The exhibition will be on view at the Torch Theatre Gallery until September 22nd before it goes on a small tour of Pembrokeshire – at County Hall, the Port of Milford Haven, and Milford Haven Leisure Centre.
- The auction of the photographs will take place at Milford Haven Leisure Centre in late November – the date will be confirmed closer to the time.
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