Over the last two years, we've been helping young people create an open air photo gallery in the streets of West Kilbride during the Easter holidays (see picture) . For our 2026 project, we've something different in mind. Inspired by the work of Indian "rotiographers'" studios, we'd like to open our own pop-up studio in West Kilbride.

These backstreet photographers used a wonderful collection of lo-fi backdrops and costumes to create images that put people into their own fantasies; you want to be royalty, a cowgirl, a spaceman...? The photographer can make it happen, and you will have the photograph to prove it!

So, our project will involve the rental of a vacant unit on West Kilbride Main Street; setting up the unit as a portrait studio; inviting people to submit to us their dream or fantasy; creation of the backdrop and costumes to make it come true; the photoshoot; perhaps a chat about where the fantasy is rooted; and afterwards the creation of an exhibition and slideshow (see submitted video for example of past work) of the images created (with the permission of the subjects).

Costs include rental of unit for 4 weeks £400

Backdrop hire and creation £200

Costume purchase and rental £250

Publicity £100

Lighting hire £250

Printing costs £100

The Millport Town Hall charity is about to complete the regeneration of Millport Town Hall into a vibrant, self-sustaining community space with activities, self-help groups and community events to address social isolation and loneliness in our vulnerable elderly population, stress and anxiety in our younger people and with indoor sports, creative and performing arts and recreational facilities to improve the mental and physical well-being of our whole community. Well-planned disabled access throughout the building will ensure everyone has access to all the facilities, with 22 community groups ranging from the Boys' Brigade to Millport Pipe Band planning to regularly use the building. We want to buy an evacuation chair to ensure that anyone with reduced mobility can be safely evacuated from the building in the case of fire, power loss or other emergency. The equipment will help prevent delays and injuries should the building need to be evacuated by providing a safe stable method for moving people who can't use stairs.