A new community exhibition in Huddersfield town centre is inviting people to reflect on a simple but powerful question: what does safety look like?
Art of Connection – Making Safe Spaces will open at Amped Cafe in Queensgate on Wednesday May 7 from 4pm to 5.30pm, as part of Huddersfield Literature Festival.
The exhibition brings together photography, collage and poetry created by primary school children and older adults from across Huddersfield, developed through a series of creative workshops over recent months.
Led by Chris Chinnock and Jo McFarlane from Our Creative Connection, the project titled ‘Message in a Bottle’ explored ideas of safety, belonging and connection through shared creative activities including photography, jewellery making, poetry and visual art.
Participants also worked alongside poet Michelle Scally Clarke to shape their thoughts and experiences into a collective poem, which will be performed live at the opening event.
Organisers say creativity provided a space for people from different generations to connect, reflect and share their experiences in meaningful ways.
Through the workshops, participants described safety in simple but powerful terms, including “being listened to”, “being with people you trust” and “knowing someone cares.”
One participant said: “There is kindness and respect that people have for each other, their voices and their opinions.” Another added: “We need each other to feel safe.”
Others reflected on shared experiences across generations, with comments including: “We have learned that we all share ideas around safety and wellbeing and that we all belong in our community” and “We all feel safe with the same things – family, home and community.”
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to explore the artwork and poetry on display, and are invited to contribute their own reflections and responses as part of the experience.
The project has been supported by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s Safer Communities Fund, led by Tracy Brabin, and also forms part of a wider Arts Council England-funded programme exploring creativity and connection in communities.
The exhibition is on display for the whole of May and is free to attend and open to all.
