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 13^th 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.  

SCHEDULED UPCOMING EVENTS:

THEME: DAY IN THE LIFE/WELLBEING 

SUGAR DADDY’S Tuesday 13 June 7-9pm Art with Oly

HIVE Saturday 17 June 12.30-2.30 Photography with Gez

THEME: ENTERTAINMENT 

HIVE Saturday 1 July 12.30-2.30 Art with Oly

HIVE Saturday 15 July 12.30-2.30 Photography with Gez

UNDERCROFT Saturday 22 July 12.30-2.30 Writing with Holly

**** TICKETS FOR THE FOLLOWING SESSIONS TO BE RELEASED NEARER THE TIME ****

(Follow us on eventbrite to stay informed).

HIVE Tuesday 25 July 7-9pm Art with Oly

THEME: NEW ARRIVALS/MIGRATION 

HIVE Saturday 5 August 12,30-2.30 Art with Oly

SUGAR DADDY’S Tuesday 8 August 7-9pm Art with Oly

UNDERCROFT Saturday 19 August 12.30-2.30 Zinemaking with Gez 

HIVE Tuesday August 29 7-9pm Art with Oly

THEME: FOOD & FAMILY 

CATHEDRAL space to be confirmed Saturday 9 September 12.30-2.30 Writing with Holly

SUGAR DADDY’S Tuesday 12 Sept 7-9pm Writing with Holly on identity/portraits 

HIVE Saturday 16 September 12.30-2.30 Photography with Gez

HIVE Tuesday 26 September 7-9pm Photography with Gez on identity/portraits

THEME: FOUND (BELONGING) 

HIVE Saturday 7 October 12.30-2.30 Writing with Holly

SUGAR DADDY’S Tuesday 10 October 7-9pm Art with Oly

HIVE Saturday 21 October 12.30-2.30 Photography with Gez

HIVE Tuesday 24 October 7-9pm Art with Oly

THEME: AT WAR 

UNDERCROFT Saturday 4 November 12.30-2.30 Zinemaking with Gez

SUGAR DADDY’S Tuesday 14 November 7-9pm Art with Oly

HIVE Saturday 25 November 12:30-2:30 Writing with Holly

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

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