TO TIE in with the new Face Value: Portraiture from the Arts Council Collection, exhibition at Abbot Hall Art Gallery, foundation photography students at Kendal College were tasked with providing a complimentary, supporting portrait installation.

As a result, the inventive students created the Face Forwards project, taking pictures of local townsfolk who popped into Kendal's Abbot Hall. The images were printed onto vinyl and displayed in the windows of the Georgian building's facade.

Kendal College foundation art and design course tutor Dave Willis, said Abbot Hall's learning officer Anne-Marie Quinn, was interested in getting students involved in some way with the Face Value exhibition and thought of running a photo-booth style event at the gallery where they would photograph members of the public and use the images as an introductory exhibition, displayed in the front windows of Abbot Hall for all to see.

"The concept was very much about exploring how we think about portraiture and about finding ways to engage the public with the idea of portraiture as part of the Face Value exhibition," explained Dave.

"It was called Face Forwards because the images would literally face forward into the courtyard and greet visitors to the gallery."

The photography students used bright, primary coloured backgrounds to contrast with the monotone limestone facade of the Abbot Hall building and create an eye catching display.

The successful project was entirely managed and produced by the Kendal College foundation studies students themselves.

Added Dave: "The gallery and the Lakeland Arts Trust have been involved with Kendal College's art and design and photography students for the last two years now, offering students a unique opportunity to work with world renowned artists and internationally known works, in a professional gallery setting and working to demanding and challenging briefs.

"Students will value the experience and the portfolio pieces that result from these collaborations, and take them forward as they progress to university degrees or into professional practice both locally and nationally."

Face Value runs until June 13, and presents portraiture in a variety of medium from 29 artists, and includes Tracey Emin’s fascinating autobiographical video work, Why I Never Became a Dancer, and self-portraits by artists such as David Bomberg and Mark Gertler.

Abbot Hall is open Monday-Saturday, 10.30am-5pm.

For further information telephone 01539-722464