Embark: Ferry Art 2009 and Fal River Festival residencies - For more information click HERE...

Eight commissioned artists deliver monthly shows on-board the King Harry Ferry between April and November. Artists respond to pertinent local issues and contextualise their work in a non-traditional gallery environment. Also three short residencies also take place during May (as part of the Fal River Festival) at a studio near King Harry Ferry during summer and educational workshops with primary schools follow at Higher Trevaster Farm. Works from which will be shown on-board all Fal River Links services.


DWP Mentoring/Training for RiO (Real Ideas Organisation)

Creative mentoring work with RiO to mentor to support their DWP clients in finding / developing suitable work in photography and the creative industries or by facilitating their clients to become self-employed. Each client is mentored over 10 sessions and enabled with the technical support and experience to learn the skills they need to move forwards with employment or to identify the educational training required for return to work. RiO?s work has economic, social and environmental goals and as a CIC they invest all the profits back into developing their work with young people; providing them with the opportunity and support to make change happen using their own ideas, energy and ability.


Devonport ?Living Archive? with Simon Gomery & SwiB (South West Image Bank) (January 2009 to December 2010)

Plymouth College of Art photography student Simon Gomery is being supported by FOTONOW in developing a living archive in Devonport. Working with images past and present that emerge from work and collaborations with local residents, Simon will be working alongside SWiB (South West Image Bank) in collating new images and curating an exhibition from his research. All newly contribute images will then be deposited at SWiB?s Devonport Collection for safekeeping and continued public access or scanned and returned to the depositor as required.


Plymouth College of Arts (Photography in Practice) (January 2009 to March 2010)

All Level 1 students of BA Photography make a sustained research through photography, sound recordings and existing archives of designated communities that include Plymouth City Centre, Devonport, Stonehouse and Cattledown. They return the images into a social and highly visible public context as site-specific exhibitions at community venues that include pubs, cafes and hotels whilst completing work based learning placements in managing photographic archives at South West Image Bank. All newly created / researched images and recording will be held in a newly appointed collection at SWiB??s home in St Saviour?s Church for continued public access or scanned and returned to the depositor as required. All work will be consolidated in a publication made saleable.


Re:Build with Ridgeway School, Plympton (November 2009 to December 2010)

In 2007 Matthew Pontin worked with Ridgeway school in supporting students with their Green Room project, where students led on developing ideas and momentum in making their school a more environmentally sustainable place. The work was support by Projecting Plymouth, a youth project aimed at creating change an led by young people. Since the project ended Pontin has continued to work with the school, most recently in helping students develop a cultural document to support decision making in the redesign of their school (which may be rebuilt). FOTONOW aim to extend this work and have written a MediaBox funding application to develop a intergenerational project, Re:Build, with students and community with a view to publish a book exploring the photographic heritage and contemporary stories of the school and its surrounding community.


Portrait of the Hoe with MARJONS: University College Plymouth (November 2009 to January 2010)

FOTONOW have worked with media students in developing a study of the Hoe area in Plymouth, the work which is leading towards a greater understanding of what contemporary portrait is and its function in society. The group are developing their image making skills with an aim to edit and curate an exhibition of work from the Dome building on the Hoe in January 2010. Work form the project can be view at:


South West Graduate Photography Prize (October 2010)

In March 2010 FOTONOW will be inviting applications for the South West Graduate Photography Prize which will be open to students graduating from photographic degree courses in the region next year. One artist will be offered a two month residency with FOTONOW as the final prize. Submitted work will be judged by a panel of selectors (TBC) on the quality of ideas and innovation in relation to contemporary photographic practice. FOTONOW will short-list six graduates who will show at Vyner Street Gallery, London from 4th to 10th October 2010 with the final prize winner being announced at the opening night. There will be a catalogue with critical text by (TBC) and foreword by Matthew Pontin creative director of FOTONOW, alongside acknowledgment of all project supporters. The opportunity will be aimed at graduates from University College Falmouth, University of Plymouth, Plymouth College of Art, University of West England, Bristol and Arts University College, Bournemouth. The winner of the prize will be supported by the FOTONOW team with a commission to work from their space in Plymouth on a self-directed residency. This will include use of a equipped research space, mentoring from the directors and a £500 bursary to develop work towards a small exhibition at St Saviour's gallery (January 2011). The aims of the South West Graduate Photography Prize are to develop opportunities for emerging artists while enhancing the visibility of photographic practice in the South West. FOTONOW is one of the leading independent photographic arts organisation in the region and next March will move into their new space St Saviour's on the Barbican (Plymouth). The project will be supported by South West image Bank.


Hidden City book and development of 2010 festival

Collaborative Practice module on BA Photography at University of Plymouth (January 2009 to March 2010)

Ensemble (edition two) photography news journal at University College Falmouth (December to April 2010)

Camper Obscura as the Devonport Heritage Trail (April to December 2010)