Creative Award for Powerhouse Portraits Project

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Back in May, the Powerhouse Portraits project was nominated for the Spirit Of Manchester awards 2024, in the category for ‘Creative Community Spirit’. The nominated group was the partnership between the three organisations which collaborated to produce and deliver the project – Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse, Segment Arts and Crossing Footprints, and in June we were notified that we’d been shortlisted.

Image of group with winning the Award for Powerhouse Portraits
Our group winning the Spirit Of Manchester 2024 award in the category for ‘Creative Community’ presented to us by Julian Skyrme Director of Social Responsibility at Manchester University and the Mayor of Manchester Councillor Paul Andrews

This was an amazing project where local people created a community portrait of Moss Side at the vibrant Powerhouse community centre, through workshops in photography, writing and magazine making. Involving 45 local people using 100 film cameras through 18 workshops. We created a vibrant photography, creative writing and art exhibition. Also produced and distributed 300 copies of a 100-page full colour professional A4 publication.

Full details of the project at https://crossingfootprints.com/moss-side-powerhouse-portraits/ .

Creative Community Spirit award for Powerhouse Portraits

Image montage: Our group sat at a table, the certificate, and the award for Powerhouse Portraits

The awards ceremony was held on 3rd October 2024 The Sheridan in Manchester, and we were thrilled to be voted the winner of the ‘Creative Community Spirit’ award. Big thanks especially to the visionary Leo Macdonald Oulds for artistically leading and directing the project, and Kooj Chuhan for the producing and management. Credits also to Lesa Dryburgh for her amazing PR work, First Cut media with Tony Reeves for documenting, Ian Johns for his photography and workshops, and Nasima Bee for the great writing workshops (via Shirley May at Young Identity). And not forgetting our special guest at the exhibition launch, local peace activist Professor Erinma Bell MBE DL JP. Well done to all who made this happen, delivered the project and participated in it to make it such a great project – full details of the awards at https://manchestercommunitycentral.org/spirit-of-manchester/spirit-manchester-awards .

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Migration Identity History

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To what extent through history has British identity been influenced by migration?
An event with speakers, discussion, Q&A and live music

5.30pm – 7pm, Weds 16th October
at Manchester Histories Hub, lower ground floor, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD

Image of speakers, UK map, musician and people who migrated in history, for the Migration Identity History event
Image includes some of the speakers at the event (upper section), and blurred behind the musician are some of the individuals who have migrated to the North West (lower section – photo credits at end of this article*)

Speakers from the Migration Stories North West project will explore the nature of migrant identity throughout British history and the intersections between the history of migration and issues at the forefront of Black history. Plus we’ll have live music by Jim Parris performing a short set of pieces which resonate with the themes.

There will be an opportunity for open discussion about various perspectives, including questions such as:

– Why are stories of individuals so important for retelling and understanding history?
– What do we gain by understanding our history through the lens of migration?
– How did colonialism affect migration, and what does it mean for Black history?
– Are the migratory roots of historical figures often overlooked or kept hidden?
– What do the stories from the project tell us about migration and human rights?

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In memory of Viraj Mendis

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Lifelong human rights activist Viraj Mendis sadly passed away on 16th August 2024, his critical perspectives and tireless praxis relating to systemic inequalities and the deep rooted power bases which drive them will be missed. All who knew him will remember his heartfelt humanity for those fleeing persecution and at the brutal end of the worst inequalities across the world, in particular in Sri Lanka.

Funeral of Viraj Mendis
Funeral of Viraj Mendis in Bremen, Germany on 31st August 2024

While there is much written about his anti-deportation campaign in the UK there is much less about his wider work both at that time and in Bremen where he has lived since leaving the UK, in particular with https://humanrights.de . Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of Viraj’s deportation is that Sri Lanka was deemed safe by the UK government at that time, yet years later as a result of investigative reporting by journalists of the highest calibre it became evident to the world that this was plainly untrue, and that the Tamil population were in fact subjected to sustained attacks, murders and intimidation. Worth also reading the funeral tribute in the Tamil Guardian at https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/friend-colleague-and-supporter-tamil-eelam-struggle-viraj-mendis-laid-rest .

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Migration Stories Exhibition

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A history of migration in and out of North West England told through 100 stories from Roman times to the present day – the Migration Stories North West pop-up exhibition.

PREVIEW AND LAUNCH: 4pm – 7pm, Wednesday 2nd October 2024, with speakers from the project and light refreshments.

Exhibition on show Thursday 3rd October to Friday 8th November 2024
at Manchester Histories Hub, lower ground floor, Manchester Central Library, St Peter’s Square, Manchester M2 5PD

Explore the region’s long history of migration and ways in which it has shaped and continues to shape our social landscape. Browse the stories of individual women, men and children arriving in and leaving the North West from and to other parts of the British Isles and other parts of the world. Find out how their journeys were driven by conflict, colonialism and trade, as well as in search of work, educational opportunities or a better life.

Image for the Migration Stories Exhibition

This ‘pop-up’ exhibition includes an interactive screen through which to browse the stories, and is touring across the North West of England. At this showing in Manchester Central Library there will also be a display about the Greater Manchester section of the project, including a set of panels illustrating the set of stories produced by the volunteer researchers from Year 1 of the project and an additional panel by pupils and staff from The Derby High School in Bury dedicated to the stories which they researched.

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Powerhouse Portraits Exhibition Launch

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Powerhouse Portraits Exhibition: Preview and Magazine Launch

A vivid reflection of people and locality through photography and text
Saturday 29 July 2-4pm

+ IAN JOHNS: retrospective showcase from 40 years photographing Moss Side

a Segment Arts project in partnership with Powerhouse and Crossing Footprints

Incl. poetry by Nasima Bee (Young Identity) and special guest local peace activist Professor Erinma Bell MBE DL JP.

Additional speakers from the Moss Side community: writer Deanne Heron, artist Ian Johns and photographer Dorothy Ennis Hand. At Powerhouse, 140 Raby St, Moss Side, Manchester M14 4SL with refreshments, snacks, speakers and musical ambience.

The Powerhouse Portraits Exhibition continues to 31st October

Photo taken during a workshop for the Powerhouse Portraits Exhibition
Photo taken during a workshop for the Powerhouse Portraits Exhibition

Local people have come together at Powerhouse to portray some of the people and places around Moss Side and nearby that are familiar to them. Three sets of workshops with different ages from 8 to 80 years ran for a period of just six weeks, all groups developing skills in photography using disposable cameras and in creative writing. The participants also developed skills in layout and design, the magazine will reflect the approaches the groups took during the project. Beginning on 22nd May the workshops took place at Powerhouse Community Centre and Library, everyone’s work will be represented in the exhibition and publication.

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POWERHOUSE PORTRAITS PROJECT

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Workshops in photography, writing and magazine making to create a community portrait of Moss Side – that’s Powerhouse Portraits!

Powerhouse Portraits - flyer front

Crossing Footprints are proud to be partners in developing and producing Powerhouse Portraits. Anyone local can join the Powerhouse Portraits Project and be part of a group creating a community portrait of and around Moss Side, have your work featured in a vibrant magazine and exhibition, also create your own photo album to take home. A set of 6 free workshops for young people aged from 13 years up to 18 years or so, living around or near the Moss Side area. Beginning on 23rd May the workshops take place every Tuesday 5pm-7pm at Powerhouse Community Centre and Library, 140 Raby Street, Moss Side M14 4SL.

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Migration Stories interactive digital map – online launch

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A groundbreaking new website documenting migration
in and out of the North West of England is to be
officially launched online on 5 December.

Image representing four Manchester stories which will be on the Migration Stories interactive digital map

Join the #MigrationStories NW project teams for the online launch of the Migration Stories interactive digital map, documenting stories of individuals who have migrated in and out of our region from the Roman period to the 20th century. Hear from those involved in the project about what they discovered during their research and be among the first to get a glimpse of the map on the project website.

Monday 5th December 6.30-8pm.

Booking required at:
https://Migration-Stories-Digital-Map-Launch.eventbrite.co.uk

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Finalist for the Manchester Culture Awards

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Kooj Chuhan & Crossing Footprints: culture arts and climate justice work in Manchester 2022

A quick snapshot of work by Kooj Chuhan and Crossing Footprints showing brief excerpts of five creative projects dealing with climate justice. These were highlighted in Kooj’s nomination by Community Arts North West for the #ManchesterCultureAwards 2022 (sustainability category). Featuring collaborations with Manchester Art Gallery , Amani Creatives , Emmanuela Yogolelo, Manchester Histories and Ayna Arts.

Now Kooj is a finalist for the Manchester Culture Awards. Results are to be announced at the awards ceremony 24th Nov 2022.

Bangladesh Independence with Climate Connections

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Oldham Libraries and Crossing Footprints present an event which celebrates the final victory day for Bangladesh Independence along with a Climate Connections Women’s Group cultural presentation.

Bangladesh Independence Victory Day Celebration

বাংলাদেশের ৫১তম বিজয় দিবস উদযাপন

Artists for Bangladesh Independence with Climate Connections

featuring a programme by Ayna Arts and Climate Connections Women’s Group

জলবায়ু সংযোগ মহিলা গ্রুপ

at Northmoor Library, Wednesday 7th December 2022 4.30-6.30pm

With music and songs by Nuruzzaman Ahmed, Mitra Kabir and Luthfur Rahman

Discussion, poetry and drama by Ayna Arts

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Climate Connections Women’s Group in Oldham

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Translation of title in Bengali - Climate Connections Women's Group at Northmoor Library

Climate Connections Women’s Group
at Northmoor Library

Every Monday 10am-12noon from 7th November 2022

Social media flyer for the activities - Climate Connections Women's Group at Northmoor Library

Education, Arts and Action against Climate Change

with Jesmin Chowdhury from Ayna Arts

  • Meet  other women
  • Learn about climate change
  • Use your skills
  • Improve your English
  • Make something creative and artistic
Some things we hope to support:
  • improve buses and transport
  • reduce air pollution
  • have less litter on our streets
  • help for Bangladesh
  • influence local officials

FREE – refreshments will be provided
Northmoor Library, Chadderton Way, Oldham OL9 6DH

Climate Connections Women’s Group at Northmoor Library is organised by Crossing Footprints in partnership with Hope For The Future, Ayna Arts and Oldham Libraries