A generous donation from the University of Salford’s kit stores this year has given Salford Youth Service members the chance to get their hands on some Canon 500D & 600D DSLR cameras to use during their photography and storytelling workshops ran by Socially Engaged Photographer Liz Lock. Reusing instead of buying new has helped the Art Collection maintain its commitment to sustainability while supporting and nurturing local young people’s creativity.
‘The University’s generous donation of DSLR cameras to Salford youth services means that young people are getting the chance to work with really good quality equipment to express themselves and their relationship to nature.’ – Liz Lock
Making sustainable choices wherever possible is at the heart of all the Art Collection’s activities. This donation has helped us to continue putting sustainability into practice by prioritising re-use over new purchases. Visit here read more on our sustainability principles.
‘It would have been wasteful to dispose of the cameras, and there was a real risk they might ultimately end up in landfill. The university does operate an electronics recycling scheme, which we would have used if necessary. However, this would likely have meant dismantling perfectly functional cameras for parts. The idea for donation came via Caroline Edge, one of our Photography academics, who was initially contacted by the Art Collection team.’ …’This approach ensured the equipment avoided landfill and continued to serve an educational purpose—the very reason it was purchased in the first place.’- Thomas Harrison, University of Salford kit stores
The images (right) were taken by Socially Engaged Photographer Liz Lock during a trip with Salford Youth Service members to RHS Garden Bridgewater, ran as part of OFFSHOOT, a collaboration between The University of Salford Art Collection, RHS Garden Bridgewater and Open Eye Gallery Liverpool and generously supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The images show the young people out and about, learning technical and creative photography skills, while experiencing the wellbeing benefits of greenspaces.
OFFSHOOT’s programme of community workshops, events and exhibitions focuses on improving wellbeing and connection to nature and community through art. Liz Lock is one of three Socially Engaged Artists running wellbeing and nature focused community workshops. Read more about the OFFSHOOT artist residencies here.
Our next OFFHOOT exhibition will be held at Salford Museum and Art Gallery and will feature work from Liz and the young people. The exhibition will launch 22nd October – to receive an invite to the launch, contact us at artcollection@salford.ac.uk to join our mailing list. The exhibition will also feature new works by Yan Wang Preston and participants of the Memory Keepers project.
Additionally, continuing with our recent exploration into the benefits of combining art, community and nature, the Art Collection is currently displaying Carry the Clouds Away, a show which further explores the benefits which come from combining nature, art and community. This exhibition is open 17th August – 18th December, 10am-4pm (excl bank holidays) at the University of Salford’s New Adelphi Exhibition Gallery.
To see more about how you can get involved in your own sustainable actions visit the University of Salford Sustainability team webpage.
