Telling Worcester’s stories through art, literature, photography and zine making
Worcestershire Archive & Archaeology Service, Worcester Cathedral’s Undercroft Learning Centre, The Word Association CIC and visual artist Oliver Bliss are coming together for an exciting new project that will encourage Worcester residents to engage with stories of their city.
History in the Making is a year-long programme of creative activities celebrating Worcestershire’s rich heritage and the voices of underrepresented communities. It will result in a published anthology, joint visual arts and poetry exhibitions and a poetry map of Worcester’s key community spaces. All of the activities will be free, as the project has been generously funded by Arts Council England with additional support from Worcester City Council and The Elmley Foundation.
Drawing from the collections in Worcestershire Archives and Worcester Cathedral’s Library, facilitators Oliver Bliss, Gerard Winter-Hughes and Holly Winter-Hughes will lead a series of workshops using creative prompts to inspire art and discussion. You may also choose to reflect on your own stories of Worcester and your own relationship with the city. The three partnering venues are Worcester Cathedral, Worcester Archive & Archaeology Service at The Hive and the vibrant Sugar Daddy’s Café. Each of these hold their own special place in the history of the city and will help inform the creative work that is produced during this community focused project.
As part of the project there will be tours and supported visits of Worcester Archives and Cathedral library.
“We want residents to establish a deeper connection to Worcester. There are so many rich resources in both the archives and the cathedral library, that show us how people used to live. Part of the project is in helping people understand the wealth of materials available to them, giving them the confidence they need to access them independently in the future.” Holly Winter-Hughes, Chief Executive, The Word Association CIC.
“There is a wealth of stories in the archives, but we know that many people are unsure how to access them or even that they’re available to the public. This project is a wonderful opportunity to delve into Worcester’s past and get creative too.” Nina O’Hare, Learning & Outreach Manager, WAAS.
The project kicks off on June 13th with fortnightly art sessions with Oly on Tuesday evenings at Sugar Daddy’s Café. Monthly writing workshops with Holly and photography and Zine making with Gerard will take place on Saturday afternoons at The Hive and The Undercroft.
To book your free space visit our eventbrite page.
The artists will introduce different themes each month. You’re welcome to attend all of the sessions across the different disciplines, or just attend one or two. Booking is essential as spaces are limited.
Please email info@the-word-association.com for more information or to join the project mailing list.
Anyone with specific access needs (including BSL interpreting and languages other than English), please should email us as we have funds available to support you. info@the-word-association.com
SCHEDULED UPCOMING EVENTS:
UNDERCROFT Saturday 28 October 12.30-2.30 Zinemaking with Gez
(on the theme of ‘Day in the Life’
THEME: AT WAR
HIVE Tuesday 28 November 7-9pm Art with Oly
THEME: IDENTITY (PORTRAITS)
SUGAR DADDY’S Tuesday 12 December 7-9pm Art with Oly
HIVE Tuesday 19 December 7-9pm Art with Oly
THEME: WORK
HIVE Saturday 6 January12.30-2.30 Writing with Holly
HIVE Saturday 20 January 12.30-2.30 Photography with Gez
SUGAR DADDY’S Tuesday 23 January 7-9pm Art with Oly
HIVE Tuesday 30 January 7-9pm Art with Oly
**** TICKETS FOR THE FOLLOWING SESSIONS TO BE RELEASED NEARER THE TIME ****
(Follow us on eventbrite to stay informed).
THEME: CRIME & PUNISHMENT
HIVE Saturday 3 February 12.30-2.30 Writing with Holly
SUGAR DADDY’S Tuesday 13 February 7-9pm Art with Oly
UNDERCROFT Saturday 24 February 12.30-2.30 Zinemaking with Gez
HIVE Tuesday February 27 7-9pm Art with Oly
EXHIBITION IN MARCH (THE HIVE’S ATRIUM and WORCESTER CATHEDRAL)
GROUP VISIT TO EXHIBITION
HIVE Saturday 9 March meeting at 12.30 in The Atrium