A PHOTOGRAPHIC gallery is this week celebrating the 10th anniversary of its move to Bradford, and 45 years since it was first founded.

Impressions Gallery opened in City Park in 2007, and since then has hosted the work of photographers from around the world, attracting around 55,000 visitors a year.

Tomorrow the gallery celebrates its decade in Bradford with a civic reception in City Hall, an evening event in the gallery, and a celebration in The Bradford Club. The Victorian members’ club has been transformed into a pop up gallery filled with photographs that have been displayed in the gallery since 2007.

Impressions started in a room above a shop in York in 1972, and was founded at a time when photography was, for the most part, shunned by major museums.

In the last 45 years, over 630 artists have exhibited in the £1.2 million gallery, including many well-known names such as Bill Brandt, Cecil Beaton, Dorothea Lange, and Imogen Cunningham.

After outgrowing a succession of buildings in York, Impressions moved to Bradford at the invitation of Bradford Council, opening the first purpose built public funded photography gallery in the UK in August 2007. The gallery hoped to make the most of the centre’s burgeoning re-generation.

When opened, the gallery looked out over the developing City Park project, and due to its location in the heart of the city centre, the Impressions has made photography much more accessible to the people of Bradford.

As well as its exhibitions, the gallery hosts events for families, children, and older people’s groups, school visits and even hosted the announcement of the Tour De Yorkshire route in December.

Exhibitions have included images of Iceland, a photographic journey along the Yangtze River in China and photographs of young athletes, which coincided with the London Olympics and Paralympics.

It’s current exhibition is of work by Liza Dracup, a Bradford based photographer whose images were part of the gallery’s first exhibition in 2007.

The gallery recently secured £809,124 in Arts Council funding between 2018 and 2022 as part of its status as a National Portfolio Organisation. And it has been named a finalist in the Arts & Culture category of the White Rose Awards 2017, which recognise tourist attractions in Yorkshire.

Anne McNeill, Director of Impressions since 2000, said “Impressions has always been visionary, and never afraid to take creative risks.

“More than ever, photography plays a huge part in our lives, and people continue to look to Impressions to be captivated, informed and inspired. I’m delighted to be celebrating this important double anniversary, and would like to thank all the visitors, artists, funders and supporters who have been part of the Impressions story over the last 10 years in Bradford and 45

years in Yorkshire.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, said “Impressions has mounted significant exhibitions, bringing artist of international renown to our city. The gallery has forged strong community links, and provides excellent experiences for both our residents and visitors.”

Sir Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “I’d like to congratulate Impressions Gallery as they celebrate these milestones. Since its launch 45 years ago, it has earned itself an impressive reputation in the UK and Europe and I’m proud Yorkshire is home to such a pioneering centre for photography.”