Sarah Read, Deputy Director of Impressions Gallery
For the last two years I have sporadically watched
the evolution that lies immediately at the door of
Impressions Gallery in Centenary Square. Spread out
over 700 days this progression has often felt subtle,
and as the drilling drifted into background noise the
change became almost furtive.
Come 2012 as fencing is removed, water flows and
lights are switched on, I am pulled from my state of
indifference and drawn to observe again. Whether
or not you wholeheartedly agree with the level of
investment or outcome of this scheme, the change
in the area’s use over the last few weeks is palpable.
I’d be lying to say I hadn’t felt pleased to see people
lingering instead of charging through the square and
child after child eager to hurl themselves into jets of
icy water.
Perhaps you’ve not yet had the knowledge or
inclination to visit Impressions, but to the uninitiated
we are a free public gallery showing the best of today’s
photographers, and I might add from our first floor
perch we can offer you an unparalleled view across
City Park and
Centenary Square. The gallery’s slogan is ‘photography
that gets you looking, thinking and talking’ and on the
occasion of the launch of the City Park we’d like to
invite you to ‘look, think and do’ and join us to build a
collection of photographs that show how the people of
Bradford see their newly reformed public space.
You can upload your photograph onto the Flickr pool:
or post to us on Twitter @impgalleryphoto using
#CityParkBradford
During the official launch of City Park on 24 March 2012
we’ll be screening as many of these images as possible
on the Big Screen (conveniently attached to the side
of our building) and partnering up with Yorkshire
photography group Exposure Leeds to lead a photo-
walk seeking out the many different viewpoints of City
Park. Photographers of all levels are welcome, simply
turn up to Impressions at 3pm with anything that takes
a picture and get snapping. Find out more at http://
impressions-gallery.com
The international photography students
based at Bradford College are coming
together to create a fantastic exhibition
across two locations in the city. This month
Lister’s Mill and the City Hall will play host
to a display of 60 pieces of work from the
first year students. The theme? Positive
Bradford! It is sure to be uplifting and of a
high standard if the past exhibitions by the
college’s students are anything to go by.
Choosing Lister’s Mill as a space to exhibit
is somewhat brave, being a couple of miles
out of the city centre, but may well be a
wise choice. At its peak it was the largest silk
factory in the world and in recent years it has
become increasingly popular for artists alike,
with their dedicated and modern exhibition
space. The choice of the Grand Staircase
is one that should be fitting as it will bring
to life memories of years past and evoke
a sense of nostalgia for some of the more
mature visitors, bringing Bradford’s history
into the mix with its current.
The exhibition will run from the 1st until 31st
March with the opening event being the 8th
March for City Hall and *** for Lister’s Mill.
Some pieces will be on sale and proceeds will
be donated to Marie Curie Cancer Trust and
Bradford Teaching Hospitals.
Chris Scott
