Lighthouse has been selected as one of 60 arts centres and libraries to contribute to Our Freedom: Then and Now, a nationwide project exploring themes of Freedom in the context of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two.
Earlier this year, Lighthouse delivered an exhibition with Poole Maritime Trust for the anniversary of Dunkirk looking at the heroic actions of ordinary fisherman from Poole, inspiring the idea that the image of a fishing boat would be a great starting point for talking about freedom with the Poole community.
“This is a terrific opportunity to reach outside our iconic building and engage with communities that have less contact with Lighthouse,” says Martha Earley, Creative Engagement Manager.
“It is also an opportunity to create conversations about what freedom means to lots of different sections of our community.”
This month, Lighthouse will deliver more than 20 workshops across the region including at the Tank Museum with families of service people and a series of children’s workshops in BCP libraries. As well as public workshops at Lighthouse and in the Dolphin Centre, there will also be sessions at the Museum of East Dorset and working with older participants. Other workshops will be held in schools and colleges and with Scout groups.
The resulting art and craftworks will be processed by Lighthouse Our Freedom project lead artist Heidi Steller who will be creating a new boat-like installation at Lighthouse to be unveiled Friday 7 November and be on display until early 2026.
Timetable of workshops:
Thursday 2 October
Drop-in workshop as part of Tank Museum’s On Track event, 10am-4pm.
Join writer and artist Tilly Ingram for a drop-in session inspired by Freedom and what it means to us. Tilly will offer gentle and engaging exercises, empowering visitors to make new pieces of art using found materials.
Thursday 9 October
Turn up and write workshop at Bournemouth Library, 1-3pm.
Writer and artist Antosh Wojcik will lead a special workshop, alongside Words for Wellbeing, that is open to writers from across Bournemouth and Poole. Antosh will be inspiring writers to create stories, poems, and other pieces that consider what Freedom means to us personally, living in Dorset.
Words for Wellbeing is a fun and informal writing group, for anyone that’s looking to share inspiration and spark creativity. The group is organised and hosted by C W Blackburn, in association with Bournemouth Writing Festival’s writers’ havens initiative. The group is welcoming to all types of writers – poets, novelists, lyricists, playwrights, scriptwriters – even people that have never written before. Each session is self-contained, and the emphasis is on writing for enjoyment and self-realisation.
Making workshop at FOUNDRY Poole, 10.30am-12pm.
Led by Jo Malyon, open to FOUNDRY members and general public.
Friday 10 October
Workshop for Pain Management Dorset, led by Tilly Ingram, 12-3pm.
Led by Tilly Ingram, as for Tank Museum workshop.
Monday 13 & 20 October
Workshops with 2nd Wimborne Scout Group, time tbc
Led by Antosh Wojcik.
Tuesday 14 October
Workshop at Hamworthy Primary School, 1.15-2.45pm
Led by Jo Malyon
Thursday 16 October
Workshop for In Jolly Good Company at Museum of East Dorset, time tbc
Led by Tilly Ingram, as for Tank Museum workshop.
Writing workshop at FOUNDRY Poole, 4-5.30pm.
Led by Aanka Batta, open to FOUNDRY members and general public
Wednesday 22 & 29 October
Public workshop at Bournemouth Library, 10-11.30am
Led by Aanka Batta.
We then have our half term workshops at BCP Libraries, led by Holly Spillar. Poole Museum will also host 1-2 workshops that week, exact dates tbc.
