We R You – How We Learn
📸 Photography Workshops Around Ballarat
If you’ve been around Ballarat recently, you might have noticed our first public building transformed into an outdoor exhibition space.
The Blockbuster Video building at the corner of Mair and Camp Street now proudly displays a striking paste-up installation as part of the We R You project. Public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, with uplifting comments like:
“I drove down Camp Street today and was delighted to see the striking portraiture posters. I even stopped the car to spend time enjoying them. Having previously discussed the tagging on Blockbuster’s walls, I truly hope this initiative proves to be an effective solution. These images certainly strengthen the art-scape of that precinct. Congratulations to the initiators, funders, Blockbuster, Aldona, and all involved!”
“This project is awesome! Can’t wait to see it all emerge over the year. Nice work, Aldona and team!”
“This is a great community project. The photos were taken by everyday people, with help from a local professional photographer, and show the many different faces that make up Ballarat.”
Having lived in Ballarat for nearly 2.5 years, I’ve noticed that some people are quick to judge new creative initiatives. However, all opinions matter — we just have to focus on the ones that inspire and encourage growth.
Learning Through Photography
Yesterday, we ran a hands-on photography workshop at the City of Ballarat Youth Space, where participants learned:
- How to set up a portable studio on location
- How professional studio lighting works
- The essential photographer-model dynamic—creating a connection for powerful portraits
Each participant got to be both the photographer and the model, experiencing both sides of the lens. It was an exciting session filled with creativity, collaboration, and some fantastic image-making!
Join Us at Harmony Fest 2013!
Our next project activity takes place at Harmony Fest on Sunday, March 24(11 AM – 5 PM). We’d love for you to join us—whether as a model, photographer, or both!
📍 Find us at the festival or drop us a message to get involved.
We R You – A Community Street Art Project
Inspired by the global Inside Out initiative, We R You aims to give a ‘face’ to marginalised and disadvantaged individuals, fostering visibility and representation within the community.
Supported by the Victorian Department of Justice, the project aligns with their commitment to graffiti prevention and intervention, offering a creative, environmentally friendly alternative to aerosol-based graffiti.
A Participatory Approach to Street Art
Designed to be inclusive and collaborative, We R You brings community members together to:
- Create impactful public artworks that acknowledge and empower marginalised voices
- Develop new photography and artistic skills through hands-on workshops
- Transform neglected urban spaces into meaningful, people-centred landmarks
The Process
As a graffiti intervention initiative, We R You engaged local photographer Aldona Kmiec to lead a series of photographic workshops from January to mid-May 2013. Participants from diverse community groups captured large-scale digital portraits of individuals who are often unseen or underrepresented.
These black-and-white portraits were printed on paper and carefully pasted onto identified graffiti hotspots across Ballarat—starting with the Blockbuster building at Mair and Camp Streets, which became the first public space to receive an artistic ‘makeover.’
Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on these images? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments below.