A crowdfunder has been launched for an open call photography exhibition that will feature images of Preston.
PP: Preston Pictured will feature over 20 large-scale photographic images with the only criteria being that they were taken in Preston.
Any genre of image will be eligible to be considered for the project, which has been organised by Garry Cook and his Enjoy the Show organisation.
The fundraiser is part of the Crowdfund Lancashire scheme, which sees Lancashire County Council funding 50 per cent of the project if pledges for the first 50 per cent are successfully secured.
The images will be displayed at A0 size on the hoardings of the boarded-up BHS building on Fishergate in the city centre.
But the bold, street-facing photographic exhibition – which will guarantee an audience of thousands – will only go ahead if the fundraiser is successful.
Garry Cook said: “I’m really excited about this project, bringing together my favourite art form, photography, with my other driving force: getting people to participate in the arts.
“Entry to the call out will be free, and all printing and installation costs will be covered by the fundraiser.
“If the fundraiser is successful, I expect there to be a lot of submissions. Opportunities like this to display work at no cost to the artist or photographer are extremely rare, so I would challenge anyone who is submitting to make sure their image is as eye-catching as possible.
“We’re looking for bold, beautiful, striking images of the city and the people who inhabit it. This could mean using humour, exaggerated viewpoints or great composition. For anyone not sure about all of this, we will also be doing some photo walks as part of the project.”
Anyone with a camera or a phone can submit images and take part. Whether it’s a quiet street at dawn, a bustling market scene, a slice of city life, an aerial drone shot or a personal moment in the toilets at Detroit bar, the aim is to celebrate how Preston is seen.
The project is particularly looking for local businesses to pledge support to the crowdfunder.
Cook, who has previously produced the Face of Preston, Fill the Frame and Art on the Streets of Preston projects, as well as Lancashire Fringe Festival, Lancashire Photography Festival, the upcoming #Edfringe Preview shows at Artch Studios and the recent First Impressions participatory photography project, added: “Preston desperately needs more arts events and more arts funding – and this is a wonderful and affordable way to contribute to this acute need.
“While every pound massively helps and even a £2 donation from a member of the public is appreciated, this project is unlikely to happen if large pledges from the business community are not made.
“I’d ask any business or business person with an interest in the arts or who has a desire to increase footfall in the city centre to make a pledge.”
The crowdfunder will run for approximately six weeks, ending in the first week of July. The call out for photographs will begin immediately after that, or when the crowdfunder target is reached.
To find out more and contribute, visit the PP: Preston Pictured crowdfunder on Spacehive.
