The lighthouse is a large, pop-up structure that opened officially in August with a free garden party. It is currently hosting a number of events that include music and dance, resident chefs serving food, and arts and crafts workshops for children and young people.
The project has been commissioned by the London Borough of Bexley and funded by the Mayor of London as part of Bexley’s Greater Erith Programme. Community arts group ‘The Exchange’ works closely with local partners to build on Erith’s history of culture and production and is currently working to repair and renew the town’s grade 2 listed Carnegie building; turning it into a major creative hub for the area. They have been instrumental in bringing the lighthouse to the pier and are responsible for its day-to-day running.
The students were approached by The Exchange’s Peter Nutley in the hope of enlisting their help in promoting the lighthouse to the public. Without hesitation, they agreed and soon took the lead with a social media campaign and the production of digital artwork and photographic images to share far and wide. Their mission is to attract lots of visitors and promote the many activities on offer.
Photography student, Kieran, 17 from Swanley, has been busy working on a series of documentary images to capture the essence of the project. He said: “This has been a project with a difference. I have worked to a live brief and been kept very busy over the last few weeks. The images will be displayed in presentations, reports and, I’m told, a forthcoming exhibit later in the year.”
Emanuela, 19 from Sidcup, wants to become a media journalist after going to university. She said: “The work has been very interesting and engaging and a real eye-opener for the whole team. To work with proper clients is very good experience and keeps you disciplined and responsive. We are now putting our material together to create a promo video about the lighthouse.”
Curriculum Manager, Stuart Blackmore is very proud of the students’ work and believes the experience has proved invaluable. “It has taught them about deadlines, responsibility, and accountability, he says, “I think that providing exposure to real employers with professional expectations ultimately reinforces what they learn in class and gives them knowledge and insight.”
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PW