The Williamson Gallery

The gallery is situated on the second floor of the Ashton Memorial and does involve ascending several flights of stairs. However, you will find the ascent well worth it, the room provides a light and airy venue for a wide range of exhibitions. The artworks are usually for sale and provide a lasting memento of your visit to Williamson Park

16th August – 26th September 2010

Josephine Rice – Photographic Exhibition

Branching out from Preston to Lancaster – via China, Greece and Blackpool

A photographer’s remarkable two-year world-wide study of trees is the subject of this six-week exhibition. Josephine Rice, 32, from Bamber Bridge, is the manager of Preston city centre gallery space PAD (Preston Art and Design), she would normally be the one providing the space for local artists to exhibit their work.

“It is great to be able to exhibit my own work,” said Josephine. “This study took over two years to compile. It’s an observational study, capturing the image when the opportunity arises. There are photographs in there from around the world including China, Vietnam and Prague, as well as closer to home in Preston and Nelson.”

Josephine turned a photography hobby into a way of life 10 years ago, initially studying night classes at Preston College and then graduating with a degree in photography from Blackpool College. Buoyed by this new qualification, she switched careers – having earlier mostly worked in admin roles in the legal and media sectors – to eventually become gallery manager at Preston Art and Design.

This is the second time Josephine has exhibited this study, having previously introduced her work at the Harris Museum in Preston. Also included in this exhibition in Lancaster is a cameo written piece by former journalist and friend of Josephine, Kevin Hegarty, 36, from Fulwood, who offers a thought-provoking poetic response to her work.