Watercolor

perch we can offer you an unparalleled view across City Park and

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

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: http://www.flickr.com/groups/citypark_bradford 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