Peter Vale is a street photographer passionate about capturing the colour and diversity of the city of Birmingham’s religious landscape.

Using Peter’s photography, this project explores the different ways in which faith (of different kinds) is expressed within the public square.

In contemporary society, there is a widespread assumption that faith is a private matter.  Faith is a private matter, but it is not merely a private matter, since for people of all different faiths, beliefs and worldviews, deeply-held convictions influence behavior and impact upon the way life is lived individually and together in social and public spaces.

For example, places of worship are notable local landmarks, community spaces and heritage assets.  Faith may involve marking key festivals and celebrations, providing practical loving service to others, sharing a message and seeking to draw in new members, or challenging social evils and injustices.

All of these things and more are captured in Peter’s vivid photos.
 
This project will seek to develop two interlinked resources around a selection of Peter’s photos:

1) an online RE classroom resource on the diversity of public expressions of faith in the city;

2) a portable exhibition, which can be used to support RE/RS teaching about the diversity of faith in contemporary Britain, which can be used by schools, places of worship, libraries and museums.

The project is jointly funded by Westhill Endowment and St Peter’s Saltley Trust.