Tales and Travels

Now and again a project comes along that makes my heart sing and is a reminder of the phenomenal and multi-faceted impact that culture and heritage can have.

This year I've been a mentor to Turner's House in Twickenham via the AIM - Association of Independent Museums New Stories New Audiences project. Tales & Travels has been an exploration of stories, travels and identity through art produced by refugee women in the local community, inspired by J. M. W. Turner's travels and his notes of his trips in his sketchbooks. Turner's House ran the project in partnership with Refugees Welcome in Richmond. Learning and volunteers officer Rita Piglionica managed the beautiful and moving project with compassion and commitment.

Participants explored different techniques and themes in workshops run by three different artists: Anna Kostritskaya, Diana Gottlieb and Riecha Kapoor.

Many of the artworks the participants created have featured in an exhibition throughout Turner’s House during October, sharing and celebrating the participants’ stories. Whilst our sector can sometimes focus on KPIs and metrics, it’s the impact of the project on individual participants that really stands out.

Below L-R: Images from the exhibition showing collages hanging on either side of the bed; paintings in the small parlour; clay tiles with sculpted flowers; visitor feedback postcards.