PICTURES: Community Darkroom project in Inverness celebrates 5th anniversary
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A creative initiative in Inverness celebrated five years since opening their space at WASPS Creative Academy.
The Inverness Darkroom is a creative space which was included in the new building of the Academy –thanks to the efforts of UHI lecturer Rachel Fermi, former photography lecturer Matt Sillars and Brian McIntosh.
The space allows members to use the darkroom to develop analogue photographs and regularly runs workshops for anyone wanting to learn and create through this medium.
Since its inception, the community has grown and boasts about 50 members, as well as leading a variety of creative projects.
Now, the popular initiative is seeking to grow by applying for charitable status and expand the range of activities they offer.
Mr Sillars said: "We have always aimed to be accessible and take down the costs for anyone to be able to use our space.
"So far we have never relied on public funding, but now we want to make this a sustainable reality and becoming a charity will allow us to apply for funding and therefore be able to expand what we can offer and our initiatives."
One of their plans is to create an opportunity to have an artist in residence at the Darkroom.
This comes as the Darkroom has established itself as an important resource for the communty, garnering attention from all over Scotland.
Ms Fermi said: "Visual arts had been underserved in the Highlands for quite a long time so when we were given the opportunity to ask for a space in the new WASPS building – we asked for a Darkroom.
"We are the third largest community darkroom in Scotland, and we pride ourself with that. We have members from all backgrounds and aged between18 to 80.
"We thought Covid was going to be a very difficult time – but it has actually given a space to people who really believe in analogue photography."
"One of our members said that being able to come to the darkroom was what kept her sane during Covid," Mr Sillars continued.
Membership for the Darkroom is up at £12 a month and people can learn how to use the space at one of their workshops
You can find out more about the space at theinvernessdarkroom.org.uk.
