Connected Communities
On Wednesday 11th November I had the pleasure of attending the opening of a very special exhibition at Hopetown Darlington Railway Museum. The exhibition, Connected Communities, celebrates the people, stories and cultures that help shape Darlington today.
Bringing together voices from across Darlington, including migrant, refugee and long-established communities, the exhibition offers a wonderful insight into the diverse experiences that make up the town. At its heart are the stories of the people who live here. Some have called Darlington home for generations, while others have arrived more recently, bringing with them memories, traditions, languages and cultural heritage from places around the world.
A Collaborative Project
Connected Communities is led by the Institute for Collective Place Leadership at Teesside University and curated by Azadeh Fatehrad, in collaboration with Creative Darlington, the Centre for Local Studies, Hopetown Darlington, The Forum and Darlington Assistance for Refugees.
The exhibition marks the culmination of a project that I was delighted to be invited to take part in. My contribution involved working alongside members of the refugee community to design and create two vibrant, collaborative felt banners.
Each banner tells part of a shared story……
The first explores the idea of Darlington as a new home – a place of safety, belonging and fresh beginnings at the end of what can often be a long and challenging journey.
The second celebrates the many different backgrounds, cultures and heritages that people bring with them. Although their roots may be far apart, these individuals are now coming together in Darlington, forming new connections, sharing experiences and growing together as one connected community.
Bringing Stories to Life Through Felt
Over ten weeks, the participants worked together to bring these ideas to life through colour, texture and creativity.
The banners were made using soft merino wool, a variety of decorative and effect fibres, recycled ethnic fabrics and painted wooden buttons. Traditional wet-felting techniques were combined with embroidered appliqué to create the imagery, patterns and details.
Every element was carefully considered, with the materials and textures helping to express the richness and diversity of the stories being shared.
More Than Just Making
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was seeing relationships develop as the work progressed.
Participants came from different backgrounds and often spoke different languages, so communication could sometimes be challenging. However, creativity provided a wonderful way to bridge those differences. Techniques were demonstrated, ideas exchanged and skills shared, with the making process becoming a common language of its own.
Along the way, new friendships developed and a real sense of togetherness grew within the group.
It was a privilege to be part of such a welcoming and inclusive project. The experience was a lovely reminder of how creativity can bring people together, encourage understanding and help build a sense of belonging.
I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together. These two banners represent much more than a collection of felted fibres and fabrics; they carry the stories, experiences and shared hopes of the people who helped create them.
It was wonderful to see them taking their place within the Connected Communities exhibition at Hopetown Darlington, where their stories can now be shared with a much wider audience.
Celebrating our differences, finding common ground and creating connections – one piece of felt at a time.