19 September 2016

Visitors to a new exhibition will see Bath through the eyes of people in the city recovering from mental health issues.

The exhibition, at the Guildhall, will feature digital photographs taken by 11 students on the Snap and Stroll Project. Participants spent eight sessions exploring Bath, meeting people with the same interests and learning from each other.

The group’s work went on show on August 17, in an exhibition curated by Bath College student Katie Constantine. Carolyn Trippick took part in the project and is currently an inpatient at the STEPS eating disorder unit in Bristol.

She said:

It is surprising how powerfully effective photography is at building positive mental health. The project has helped provide my mind with a mental break from the relentless eating disorder and anxious thoughts that normally consume it. It helps you to see again, to really see, to be mindful in the moment and re-discover the beauty in your own surroundings. I hope to continue to use photography as a creative outlet to express myself and support my health and wellbeing.

Partnership agencies Creativity Works, Bath College, Julian House, Sirona Care and Health, Bath and North East Somerset Council and the Wellbeing College have all supported the Snap and Stroll project.

Sally Collister, from In the Picture Participatory Photography, was on hand during the sessions to offer practical advice. She said:

I’m delighted that participants are getting this opportunity to share their work as the quality of photography is truly fabulous. At the beginning some had hardly held a camera before, while others were keen photographers lacking confidence. However, by the end of the course, though a series of workshop activities and location shooting around Bath, we had a team who could proudly call themselves photographers. “It was such a pleasure watching their confidence build.

The exhibition includes popular Bath scenes, as well as unnoticed corners and fresh perspectives on everyday places.

Katie Constantine is putting together the exhibition and has just finished a six-month curatorship course at Bath College. She said:

This will be my first exhibition since finishing the evening course at the college and I’m really excited to work with all of these artists. The students should be very proud of the high quality work that they’ve produced. My aim is to help them collect their best works together, showing each individual’s innovative vision of Bath.

The exhibition opened with a civic reception on Wednesday August 17 and will be open at the Guildhall until September 27.