Say Cheese and Capture Life in Eastbourne

22nd October 2008

Photographers are getting ready to set up around Eastbourne next week and residents are invited to drop by and smile for the camera as the Archery Youth Centre brings Eastbourne to life in an exciting new project.

The Backdrop Project is being run by East Sussex' Youth Development Service and is supported by the Crime Reduction Partnership and involves young people aged 13-19 creating representations of their local community. The group have already created giant paintings of iconic scenes in Eastbourne capturing the spirit and style of the location, and now the project is calling on the local community to come together and have their photograph taken to capture the life of people in the town.

Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Cllr Steve Wallis said "This is a fantastic initiative and really brings the whole community together to appreciate their town. Eastbourne is a beautiful place to live and we have some great locations on our doorstep, from the award winning beaches, to the natural South Downs backdrop. I can't wait to see the paintings and photographs and it's brilliant to see young people working together on such a worthwhile project."

Eastbourne residents are invited to come along to one of three locations next week as the group set up cameras around the town.

The young people will photograph as many people as would like to take part and will be set up at Fisherman's Green car park and next to the Pier on Monday 27 October and at Bankers corner in the town centre on Tuesday 28 October.

The group is keen to capture the true community spirit in Eastbourne and is encouraging residents to bring along friends and family to make a really fun picture.

Through weekly open session at the Archery Youth Centre, young people have already come up with a series of backdrop scenes, which are relevant to them and where they live. Through researching the history of the area and talking to local people, the painted backdrops depict pictures that embody the past, present and future.

The photographs of the local community are the final stage of the project and selected images will soon be unveiled in a special exhibition for residents and visitors.

For more information on the project please contact Debbie Cadwallender at the Youth Development Service on 01323 646591.