The Art department recently hosted a prestigious workshop which culminated in an exhibition of the students work at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

Part funded by the National Lottery, the department was chosen as one of a few centres to participate in the "Life through a lens" project, which focused on different viewpoints within photography of the Holocaust.

Coordinated by our Graphic Design teacher Helen Stubbs, delivered by Holocaust educator Hannah Goldstone and artist Caroline Slifkn, the workshop explored rare archive photographs from the Lodz Ghetto, propaganda and photographs of Hannah's Grandfather who escaped via the Kindertransport scheme.

Students were asked to explore potential ideas behind the intentions of taking a photograph - whether to record, to witness or to capture a moment. Using the archive photos and their own personal photos, students then produced a diverse range of creative outcomes. 

Students said that the workshop allowed them to

"learning how anti semitism exists in today's society and how having the courage to ask questions about people's religion can allow for more understanding and tolerance."

The work was exhibited at the recent "YomHashaoh" event at the Bridgewater Hall which is the annual Jewish remembrance day for Holocaust victims and survivors.

Find out more about studying Art at Ashton here.