PUBLIC PROGRAMME
BACKLIT will be presenting the findings of a year long research project on the history of King Edward’s park in Sneinton, as the site of the UK’s first county asylum in 1812. The project is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and will present community research, artists commissions from BACKLIT’s studio community and an online resource. The website will launch on the 26th February 2021 and be accompanied by a three lunchtime talks and panel discussions every Friday 1pm - 2pm till the 12th March on the changes towards perspectives on mental health and institutional thinking, Female and Queer experiences in 19th century asylums as well as creative responses to the community, the site and the use of modern green spaces for wellness.
To accompany these talks BACKLIT’s Lumina Collective will be running free workshops to get creative with your well being!
Public Talks Programme
Sneinton Asylum – What do we know?
Friday 26th February 2021
An online talk discussing the changes in perspectives on mental health over the last 200 years and the sites and connections between the former asylums in Nottingham and Whittingham, Preston. The contributors to the talk included Suzanne Golden - BACKLIT Deputy Director and curator of mental health exhibitions and Mick McKeown - Professor of Democratic mental health at the University of Central Lancashire.
LGBTQ+ & Female experiences in Sneinton Asylum
Friday 5th March 2021
A talk focusing on the way female patients were treated in the Sneinton Asylum and the challenges with access to information around LGBTQ+ patients. The contributors to the talk will be Dominic Janes - Cultural Historian for Gender and Sexuality in Victorian Britain, Dave Stewart - researcher for the Sneinton Asylum and Jess Emsley - BACKLIT Artist and member of Lumina Collective (BACKLIT's Arts and feminism group).
The Layers & Spaces of King Edwards Park
Friday 12th March 1pm - 2pm
Meet the BACKLIT studio collective, Soft Estate and artist Ben Rostance to discover their unique approaches to working with members of the community to respond to the site of the former Asylum. We will also be joined by David Beckingham who will present the changes in the geographical area through the collection of maps available at the University of Nottingham and Gina Mollett (BACKLIT Learning and community coordinator).
You can access this event through the Zoom meeting link available on booking - Click here to register interest
Lumina Collective Sessions;
Paper, Pattern and the Personal
Join members of Lumina Collective for a relaxing programme of online and self-guided activities that will help you to find your state of flow. Connect with the rhythms of the natural world and explore the power of pattern making on our mental health and wellbeing.
FREE, Suitable for participants aged 18+ years.
Please note that these activities will take place online via Zoom. To book a place, please contact Gina Mollett (Learning & Community Coordinator) at: [email protected]
Potato Printing Workshop
Sunday 7th March (11am – 1pm)
Join this online printing workshop to learn more about pattern and its relationship to mental health and wellbeing. Create your own patterned artwork through potato printing. Led by Hannaa Hamdache.
Walking, Listening, Touching: A Sensory Walk Activity
Use this self-guided activity to go on a walk and connect with your natural surroundings through touch, sight and sound. Produced by Andrea Jaeger.
Click here for the Self Guided Activity Pack
Creative Journaling Workshop
Sunday 21st March (11am – 1pm)
Join this online workshop to explore creative journaling and the benefits of writing for mental health and wellbeing. Learn techniques for making books, reflective thinking and practicing self-care. Led by Jessica Emsley.
'Rooms' activity pack by Ben Rostance
This fabulous Rooms activity has been created by artist Ben Rostance who collaboration with local artist Peter Gascoigne, who identifies as having a learning disability, to create 'Peter's Asylum'. As a result of spending more time indoors during lockdown, the activity encourages people to think about what their dream room might look like. The activity is for all ages with a Grown-Up side and a Kids side. There's felt tip pens and tape provided, just colour your room and decorate however you like then fold to create a 3D room. So get creating, enjoy and we can't wait to see your ideal room.
Packs will be distributed by the Renewal Trust who have Easter Live activities on King Edward Park, Sneinton, Wednesday 7th and 14th April and will also be distributing 200 breakfast packs to families on Tuesday 6th and 13th April, so you can collect your packs then. It'll also give you the opportunity to visit the site of the UK's first asylum which has now become a public park for you to enjoy.
We'd love you to share your creations on social media, particularly Instagram, using #NottinghamAsylumProject #BacklitGallery #RoomsActivityPack
Soft Estate Layers and Spaces Poem Activity:
Artists collective Soft Estate have created a family activity pack, Layers and Spaces, which includes pictures and facts about the asylum which you can cut up and make your own poem. Soft Estate created an audio/ video piece When Permitted to Wander, which is an outcome of Layers and Spaces, a commission created during the Covid-19 pandemic, which you can watch for inspiration.
We'd love you to send images of your work to [email protected] which we can publish on the website.
Packs will be distributed by the Renewal Trust who have Easter Live activities on King Edward Park, Sneinton, Wednesday 7th and 14th April and will also be distributing 200 breakfast packs to families on Tuesday 6th and 13th April, so you can collect your packs then. It'll also give you the opportunity to visit the site of the UK's first asylum which has now become a public park for you to enjoy.
We'd love you to share your creations on social media, particularly Instagram, using #NottinghamAsylumProject #BacklitGallery
