PEOPLE · MAKE · PLACES: Beyond the Gallery - review

Thank you to everyone who attended the first People Make Places event at Huddersfield Library & Art Gallery on Friday 4th December.

Beyond the Gallery was one of a series of events being planned to simulate thinking, ideas and debate to drive cultural and creative development in Kirklees. Our intention is to encourage people to engage more imaginatively with the town through working collaboratively with artists, producers and organisations to reveal the Towns forgotten assets and inspire future actions.

The afternoon was an informal, uplifting and entertaining gathering that gave people the chance to hear about creative projects happening locally and from further afield. Over 30 artists and producers attended the event that included presentations from Claire Tymon - Blackburn is Open, Artist William Titley - In Situ, Prof Steve Swindells - University of Huddersfield and Amanda Huxtable and Helen Mellor from Chol Theatre.

A highlight of the session was a visit to Queensgate Market - a true gem located in the heart of Huddersfield. Visitors were given a guided tour which started at the viewing gallery and balcony on the first floor and led onto the hidden functional spaces beneath the market hall.

Following the tour the workshop playfully explored peoples’ perceptions of Huddersfield prompted by responses to the question ‘If I say Huddersfield what would you say?’ These have been collated into 3 Word Clouds to give a flavour of the responses: http://worditout.com/user/641400/settings/28dd8e2b2da37d9af83a97cb9a42d7e2

You can also see some of the photos taken by William Titley during the tour of Queensgate Market at https://goo.gl/photos/Ue8XY38UwsFcfajn7.

The next People.Make.Places event will take place in early February and we'll add information and details to Creative Kirklees in due course.