FOTOme

Seven students with a learning disability are taking part in an exciting new photography project at the City of Westminster College.

The FOTOme project gives students the opportunity to work with professional photo-trainers over ten weeks to learn photography skills and document their college lives on camera.

Throughout the project, the photos are shown on the website where students have the opportunity to view and comment on the photos. The project will end with an exhibition and celebratory event at a local arts centre.

Marcella Haddad, PROEXPOSURE photo trainer said:

“We’re really excited to be working with the City of Westminster College on this project. We’re passionate about giving marginalised groups an opportunity to learn photography and to connect people through the power of photos.

“By having a camera and taking photographs around the college grounds, we hope the project will raise the students’ profile and give them a voice and status within the college, and further beyond”.

Seven students with learning disabilities who have taken part in an exciting new photography project at City of Westminster College saw their work displayed at Paddington Arts Centre on Wednesday 3rd December.

Around 150 people visited the exhibition featuring wall displays, projections and an interactive hanging installation of the students’ pictures. They were also treated to live puppet shows and a delicious selection of cakes and sandwiches, made by students with learning disabilities from the College.

Nicole Proia, Lecturer at the College said: “The event has blown me away. It’s so fantastic to see the students’ work displayed and enjoyed by such a range of people and by themselves. It’s wonderful to see how excited they were and how proud of their work.”

Often students with learning disabilities miss out on taking part in creative activities because they don’t have access to mainstream arts projects.

Soumaya Iggoute, the mother of Narjis, one of the FOTOme students said: “I’m so proud of this event. It makes me so happy to see how much she’s enjoying the photos, and to know that she’s not missing out on activities of other students.”

When asked about the event, Shahad, one of the FOTOme students said:

“I like it. I like the photos and puppets. My favourite photos are in the park. I like the flowers. I took pictures of Bartek and Hashum [FOTOme students]. I like taking pictures of people.”

Des Reardon, Director of the Queens Park Centre at City of Westminster College added: “The exhibition is very impressive; the standard of pictures is really excellent. They obviously enjoyed taking part and learned a lot, and it’s great for them to show off what they’ve achieved.”