This community-led exhibition explored letters to the future, reflection, hope, and imagining the beauty of what could be, in the face of climate change. Drawing deep inspiration from the past, present and future, this exhibition celebrated the resilience of the Wolverhampton community, as they once again faced transformational change.
Through art, design, photography, film and poetry, the exhibition presented landscapes built and inspired by letters written by the Wolverhampton community. Original works by the Black Country painter Butler Bayliss, were juxtaposed with photographic works by David Grandorge, documenting the contemporary reality of the districts Butler Bayliss painted over a century ago.
The exhibition took visitors on a journey through immersive, interactive installations, films, and soundscapes from community poetry workshops. There were areas for visitors to write their own letters, including an interactive phone box, to record voice messages to DearTomorrow.
We were overwhelmed by the response to this community-led exhibit. In just two short months, over 15,000 visitors engaged with the exhibition – more than 1,900 shared their own climate stories in the gallery. And Wolverhampton Art Gallery asked us to extend the run of the exhibition.
The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through immersive, interactive installations, films, and soundscapes from community poetry workshops. There are areas for visitors to write their own letters, including an interactive phone box, to record voice messages to DearTomorrow.
DearTomorrow: DearWolverhampton was curated by Sandra Freij for the DearTomorrow climate storytelling and arts project. Co-produced by Rachel Thomas, David Grandorge, and Kom Achall in collaboration with Gatis Community Space and Boundary Way Project in Wolverhampton.