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Project introduction
The project welcomes people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds to share and celebrate their cultures, connect with natural and historic heritage and build stronger ties to land and community. We want people to be able to find a new sense of place and belonging in Shropshire.
Who are we?
The project was led by:
Andrew Howe – artist working in sound, painting, printmaking, and other media
Jill Impey – artist working in video, sound and printmaking
Jean Atkin – poet and writer
What did we do?
The project artists invited people from different community groups to work with them to share stories using writing, sounds, art, photographs.
The group(s) learned about local history and nature through walking the land, learning from local historians, sharing oral histories and co-creating art. There were opportunities to share food, stories and music at places in the landscape and at indoor venues.
We showed our work in a travelling Cabinet at exhibitions in local libraries and museums.
Where did this happen?
The project happened at four locations:
- Doctor’s Field countryside site, Shrewsbury
- Darwin House, The Mount, Shrewsbury
- Oswestry Iron Age Hill Fort.
- Oswestry Memorial Hall
When?
Oswestry
Site visits & workshops April-May 2025
Exhibitions: from June 2025
Shrewsbury
Site visits & workshops July-September 2025
Exhibitions: from October – December 2025
A Field Guide to Connecting
A Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for Multicultural Projects
We have prepared this Field Guide to Connecting to share our experience and help other practitioners deliver multi-cultural community arts and heritage projects effectively.
The Guide is aimed towards:
- Artist peers/creative practitioners
- Community workers and organisations
- Fundraisers seeking funding for similar projects
The Guide provides some key reference sheets, such as the Ethical Framework and Ingredients for Success which include prompts and practical advice. This is supplemented by information from our Hey! Earthlings! project describing our approach supported by sample documents.
Click links to view or download documents below:
Grounding Meditation
Helping to create a calm, welcoming and grounded atmosphere at events, you are invited to try this yourself in the video below.
Old Oswestry Hillfort Audio Trail
Listen to collaborative poems performed by Jean Atkin, shared stories and reflections on the events at the Hillfort in May 2025, and a soundscape of an imagined Iron Age village. This series of soundscapes was edited by Andrew Howe using field recordings made at the Hillfort. All poems were created using words by participants at events and edited by Jean Atkin
These stereo soundscapes are best experienced using headphones
Doctor’s Field, Shrewsbury Audio Trail
Listen to collaborative poems performed by Jean Atkin, field recordings of trees, the river and birdsong, shared stories and reflections on the events at Doctor’s Field in August/September 2025. These soundscapes were edited by Andrew Howe using field recordings made at Doctor’s Field. All poems were created using words by participants at events and edited by Jean Atkin
These stereo soundscapes are best experienced using headphones
