Student Testimonials
“I have been on a couple of photography classes now with Sam. On the first lesson he went through the basics of photography and how our camera settings work. Prior to this lesson I had always used the auto setting on my camera but with Sam’s guidance on that first lesson my camera has been set to manual ever since with great results. The saying goes “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” I have to disagree Sam can.”
Steve Cole, student at ASCEND
“I have attended a couple of Sam's courses and taken part in his online challenges. All of which have been really enjoyable, encouraging and informative. Sam is a great tutor who really engages with his students"
Andy Rinkoff, student at ASCEND
With ASCEND students during Self Organised Photography Group walk
Project Partner Testimonials
“Sam has been involved in a child led project, sharing his extensive knowledge of photography with the group of students who appointed him. He has a wonderful rapport with the children, his sessions are always fun and full of energy, and he is always well prepared and highly professional. His creativity and enthusiasm have been very inspiring for the children, who are working towards a public exhibition of their work with his support. “
Josephine Martin, Pioneering Places Project Manager, Turner Contemporary
With Pioneering Places participant, Royal Harbour School, Ramsgate.
Sam first engaged with Mosaic Clubhouse in 2018, as part of a photography project that entailed him spending time in our building, getting acquainted with our members (each of whom was on their personal journey of recovery from mental illness) and subsequently creating a series of collaborative collage portraits exploring members' identities. Mosaic's approach to supporting members' recovery involves providing opportunities to nourish self-esteem and Sam provided such opportunities for our members by the bucket.
He brings an impressive sense of purpose and authenticity to his work while engaging with his subjects in a way that conveys genuine respect. While we're used to having many visitors at Mosaic Clubhouse, Sam's approach very rapidly made him both an asset and a valued member of our community. His natural curiosity and ability to build relationships has seen Sam follow our organisation's journeys, struggles and achievements in a way that demonstrates a remarkable ability to commit for the long haul. The results of Sam's work with our community speak for themselves and we're delighted to have been gifted the opportunity to work with him.
Lee Elliott, Mosaic Clubhouse Employment, Information & Training Coordinator
Member’s working on their Collage Portraits at Mosaic Clubhouse
“Sam created an important opportunity for people in Stoke on Trent to engage with significant issues that are prevalent in the city. Through a series of meetings, workshops and group sessions, in which he led activities to provide people a voice and an opportunity to tell their stories, Sam created an important new body of work. He also built a new community archive that represents the people of Stoke on Trent who have moved to the city for a range of reasons, from family, to work, to asylum and safety. The exhibition was a fantastic new body of work that a diverse range of audiences from across the city engaged with. The archive is the legacy where people will be able to access these important stories in the future through the city archive service.
Sam used an important socially engaged photography methodology, one that was appropriate and respectful to the community. He also worked with a broad range of community and public sector partners in Stoke to ensure the project was collaborative and a success.
The project contributed greatly to the photography landscape of the Midlands, has influenced people, practitioners and the public sector to talk about an important topic and made a significant contribution to Sam’s own professional and career development.
I hope the agencies in Stoke and ourselves can do more work within the city and with the community as a result of Sam’s important work.”
Nicola Shipley, Director, GRAIN Projects CIC
“In 2017 we commissioned Sam Ivin to explore the stories of those who had moved to #StokeonTrent in #Settling. It’s been inspiring to see this impactful project grow & now, as its gifted to SOT Archives, the launch of http://settlingstoke.com bringing the collection together online.”
Appetite, Stoke Arts organisation, Twitter December 2019
“I had the privilege of opening and attending the Settling exhibition at PMAG. It was a wonderful evening with a chance to meet the people portrayed in the exhibition in the flesh and get their feedback on how they had progressed since then. The stories were heart warming, funny, sad and poignant but most of all it gave the visitors the opportunity of seeing from another side the way that resettlement, whether forced or voluntary, affects the human condition. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and look forward to the next chapter.”
Dr Janine Bridges, Councillor for Education & Economy, Stoke-on-Trent Council
Settling; Exploring Migration to Stoke-on-Trent exhibition at Potteries Museum & Art Gallery 2019.
“Asha were delighted to host Sam Ivin for a workshop with asylum seekers and refugees looking at where people had come from and taking photos of ourselves. Sam followed up some individuals to find out more about their story and how they had come to be in Stoke on Trent. Sam impressed us with his professionalism as a photographer but even more importantly with his genuine interest in people and the sensitivity with which he interacted with vulnerable service users. He has a rare and special combination of gifts which comes through in the power of his finished work.”
Charlotte Swan, Asha Refugee Charity, volunteer & befriended co-ordinator
“It is invariably painful for asylum seekers and refugees to tell their story but doing so is often therapeutic especially in a non-threatening environment and with someone outside the system. For one, Osman, who featured in the exhibition, being interviewed was especially significant. Threatened with deportation and having recently experienced a breakdown Osman was feeling particularly powerless. At least by telling his story and featuring in the exhibition he could feel that his voice had been heard. He had been made visible. He remains in limbo, not deported but not knowing what his future holds either. However, at least a lot of people know his story and give continuing support and care.”
Angela Geldenning, Asha Refugee Charity, Secretary Trustee
Polaroid from Asha Workshop, 2018
“Running a project like Burslem Jubilee gives me great opportunity to meet many people from different walks of life and from different countries. Working with Sam Ivin and his workshops/Exhibitions opened many doors for people to understand and be aware what it is like for Asylum and refugees who suffer from persecution.
His workshops have brought many people together from different cultures who in the past would have not sat together. This in itself was an achievement. We hope to have more workshops with him in the future so we can carry on helping our attendees to be a part of our community here in Stoke on Trent.”
Sheila Podmore, Director of Burslem Jubilee Charity
Playing with portraits workshop at Burslem Jubilee as part of Settling; Exploring Migration to Stoke-on-Trent project.
Sam led a creative photography course for our Arts on Prescription Programme for people experiencing mental health issues. The group really enjoyed it and learnt a lot from the sessions, thanks to Sam’s supportive and engaging teaching style. The participants produced some great work which they were happy to publicly exhibit at the end of the course.
Rose Gooding Arts Development Officer, St Albans Art Team
From Little Worlds brief, by Maxine.
“Sam Ivin was a featuring artist in the West Dean Arts & Crafts Festival in 2018. Sam is a lively and engaging leader, bringing thought-provoking ideas into participatory arts that have an impact both to the participant and the communities he works with. The project was intelligent, creative and relevant. It was a pleasure to work with Sam.”
Tiffany Robinson, Programme Coordinator for Foundation Diploma in Art & Design
Volunteer with Polaroid Card Installation at West Dean Art & Crafts Festival, 2018