Batley Family Encounters Exhibition October 13, 2008

Encounters are a Sheffield-based arts organisation using disused shop spaces, street based interventions, interactive media, text, performance and photography to create interaction with and in response to residents and the immediate urban environment. The Media Centre are delighted to be hosting the Batley Family Encounters project in their Medialounge exhibition space in October.

During February 2008, the Sheffield-based Encounters arts group was commissioned by Loca, the arts and regeneration agency of Kirklees Council, and Batley Locality Sure Start Children's Centres to meet and involve families in creating a snapshot of family life in Batley. They used a suitcase, a tailor’s dummy, maps, cameras, blackboards and luggage labels to collect memories and stories from over 500 people of all ages about growing up in Batley. They asked questions, gathered photographs and collected stories about family inheritance and family journeys, through meeting people in schools, community centres and out and about on the streets of Batley.

This exhibition reveals and shares this unique snapshot of everyday life and visitors will be able to add their own stories to this collection.

This project was developed and commissioned by Batley Locality Children’s Centres, Kirklees Children and Young People Service, managed by Loca and delivered by Encounters. Loca is part of Kirklees Council’s Culture and Leisure Services.

The Medialounge is open between 10am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday

This exhibition was previously shown at Batley Art Gallery.

The Media Centre, 7 Northumberland Street, Huddersfield HD1 1RL

Official Website: http://www.the-media-centre.co.uk