Is Paisley Photographic Society the oldest photographic society in Scotland? It was founded in 1857 and continues to operate today.
The town also established the Paisley Government School of Art and Design in 1846, and enthusiasm for the arts was so prevalent that it led to the establishment of the Paisley Art Institute in 1876.
At the University of the West of Scotland, you can also study photography at the HND level at various campuses, including our very own Paisley Campus. Students always host their end-of-year exhibitions at a local venue.
One famous photographer from the town is Alexander Gardner, and you will have seen at least one of his photographs, his portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Taken in February 1865, it was an album in silver print made by contact printing a glass negative on light-sensitive paper. The large glass negative broke after it was developed, and only one print was made before the negative was discarded. Gardiner was famous for taking many pictures of the American Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln by Gardiner.
Today, in Paisley, we are lucky to have many great photographers and artists who use the medium as a reference for creating their work.
The Art Department at Paisley, a large art space on Causeyside Street, encourages artists to explore their creativity and exhibit there.
Carole Gledhill from the Picturing Paisley group and her cyanotypes.
The Art Department at Paisley
