In North Westminster, we embarked on a project to captivate the community and leave a lasting impact at the intersection of public health and heritage. This initiative culminated in an exhibition titled A Common London Story at Grand Junction, Westminster. The exhibition captured the vibrant heritage and evolving built environment of Church Street Market and the Grand Union Canal through the eyes of our community's young people.

Project Timeline

• October 2023: We began with poetry sessions exploring the walk from Church Street to Paddington Basin. Two poems - one by Sarah and another created as a group - are featured in this exhibition, setting the tone for our exploration of the area.

• March to July 2024: We conducted five workshops at Church Street Market and along the Grand Union Canal. Twenty photographers, aged 5 to 15, walked these areas, documenting their perspectives as the neighborhood undergoes significant regeneration.

Project Highlights

• Captured an impressive 1,800 images during our walks

• Each photo represents a unique glimpse into how our younger generation views their surroundings

• The exhibited images were carefully chosen to best represent their collective vision within this space

Through this project, we've not only documented our local heritage but also promoted health and environmental awareness and reflected on the evolving narrative of our neighbourhood.

Project Participants

Artists

Aahil, Aleena, Amanda, Amelia, Angela, Anis, Binuk, Devika, Dima, Erica-Jane, Eva, James, Mahdi, Marie Antoinette, Maya, Melody, Mila, Mohammed, Noah, Sarah, and Zaina.

Creative Team

• Amina Atiq: Poet

• Ana Cristina Bueno: Support Worker

• Natalie Clarke: Producer

• Mariam Fadahunsi: Marketing Assistant

• Teresa Ferreira: Exhibition Designer

• Hannah ElMohankr: Artistic Director and CEO

• Dayna Jeynes: Project Manager

• Cj Swaby: Photographer and Workshop Facilitator

Project Outputs

We are in the process of uploading all our assets so bear with us but on this page you will find:

Creative Careers Work Booklet: Showcasing behind-the-scenes roles in the Creative Sector, suitable for 8 to 15-year-olds. Can be used as an independent activity or a facilitated session.

Poems: Two poems created during the project.

Instagram Exhibition: Featuring work from Church Street.

Main Exhibition: Displaying all the work created throughout the project.