This village in Lozère which displays photos of its artisans on its walls to promote local know-how

Laurent Pugeault, hairdresser, by Philippe Tarral, Xavier Gagarin, Sylvain Maurand and Catherine Piault. DR – Photo club Lot Colagne

Patrice Peytavin, électricien, par Christophe Arnal, Albert Albaret et Xavier Gagarin. DR – Photo club Lot Colagne

The exhibition of the Lot Colagne photo club can be seen in the streets of Bourgs-sur-Colagne. Some photos are shown at the Maison de la Région, in Mende, until February 8, 2024.

For several months, forty-two faces of craftsmen from Bourgs-sur-Colagne have been displayed, in giant format, on the walls of Chirac and Monastier-Pin-Moriès (Lozere). A project born five years ago at the initiative of the Lot Colagne photo club, with around forty members. Interested in the practice of photography, some are experienced, others are just starting out. "We try to share our knowledge, summarizes President Paul Honnorat. Sometimes, we take out the instructions for the devices, and we dive into them, we test, we learn!"

This principle of exchange was also implemented for this open-air exhibition, in the streets of the two towns, since the photos in question were taken by teams of two or three, mixing different levels of practice. "A member suggested the idea of ​​decorating the facade of his house which was not very cheerful", says Paul Honnorat. The then mayor then encouraged the photo club to invest in even more facades, in Chirac and Monastier, to create a link between the two towns which were located in the capital. #39;then united within the new commune Bourgs-sur-Colagne, whose new municipality continued to support the project. 

A showcase at the Maison de la Région, in Mende

Some photographs from the exhibition are presented at the Maison de la Région, boulevard Théophile-Roussel in Mende. It is visible until February 8, 2024, during opening hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The opening took place on Thursday. In the afternoon, people looking for work came to meet hairdresser Laurent Pugeault and electrician Patrice Peytavin, who spoke to them about their jobs, and training options for exercise them. Thus, the work of the photo club provides the opportunity to promote and promote craft professions. 

The Photo Club chose local know-how as its subject. And forty-two people (or groups of people) from the town agreed to play the game. We find lacemakers, town hall employees, market gardeners, bakers, a flour miller, a lumberjack, content creators multimedia or even plumbers, a blacksmith…

Among them, Patrice Peytavin, electrician, and Laurent Pugeault, hairdresser. The latter remembers: "I had just arrived in the town, to take over the hairdressing salon. I found the idea very cool. It's a beautiful spotlight on our professions." Patrice Peytavin adds: "It allows people to discover that the village is moving, to make themselves known. There were some that I passed without knowing what exactly they were doing. And above all, it is a local association which carried out this project, I am part of other associations, and I know how important it is to invest in enabling these initiatives. "

For several months, their faces have been displayed 4 by 3 meters in the village. "When you find yourself in front of it, you realize that it's really huge", smiles Patrice Peytavin. A brochure and QR codes provide access to the circuit map to discover the 42 portraits, taken by 19 photographers, over two routes (2 hours). Links present each person and their expertise. They will stay in place for five years. A great idea for a stroll !

The Lot Colagne photo club also organizes photographic meetings, from March 22 to 24, 2024, on three sites (Maison du Temps libre, Colucci room, Saint-Jean museum); it will bring together photos taken by members and by external photographers. The themes covered: sport, culinary art, nature and black and white. I subscribe to read more