Your Town My Town
A Community Portrait by JJ Waller
J Waller, the acclaimed photographer known for his evocative street photography in Brighton and other seaside towns, captured Sidmouth's spirit through two distinct lenses in 2024.
As Artist Photographer in Residence during Sidmouth Folk Festival, he snapped the locals, performers and festival-goers who fill our streets every August.
Returning in November, JJ turned his camera again to My Town focusing on A Sense of Place: the heart of community life.
Over 40 local groups took part in the portrait, from volunteer organisations, local characters and sports clubs to independent businesses and even the emergency services. A personal snapshot that JJ describes as "a unique, 'can do' town, full of 'can do' people."
The pictures you see here, reflect that unique spirit and document some of the individuals and groups that contribute to our remarkable community that make Sidmouth tick.
The full digital collection is featured below and is in parallel to our first physical public photo exhibition featuring a selection of the collection in our new outdoor gallery.
Opens 14 Feb to 30 May 2025
Riverside Art Space, The Sensory Garden, End of the Ham, Sidmouth , EX10 8BG
The new art space created by Sidmouth School of Art in association with Sidmouth Town Council and Sidmouth In Bloom.
The exhibition is free, accessible and open to all.
Together, we are "making Sidmouth the artwork" by increasing participation in art and creativity to benefit health and wellbeing in our community.
